ICE: In Case of Emergency

Entering the acronym ICE – for In Case of Emergency – into your mobile's phone book, so that the name and number of someone who should be contacted in an emergency can easily be found.

It's a simple idea, the brainchild of Bob Brotchie, a clinical team leader for the East Anglian Ambulance NHS Trust. Vodafone say that more than three-quarters of us carry no details of who they would like telephoned following a serious accident.

Bob, a paramedic for 13 years, said: “I was reflecting on some of the calls I’ve attended at the roadside where I had to look through the mobile phone contacts struggling for information on a shocked or injured person.

It’s difficult to know who to call. Someone might have “mum” in their phone book but that doesn’t mean they’d want them contacted in an emergency.

Almost everyone carries a mobile phone now, and with ICE we’d know immediately who to contact and what number to ring. The person may even know of their medical history.”

The campaign was launched this week by Bob and Falklands war hero Simon Weston in association with Vodafone’s annual Life Savers Awards.

Adopt the ICE advice so that your mobile will help the rescue services quickly contact a friend or relative – which could be vital in a life or death situation. Perhaps it could also be used for Donor information. Tell your contact friend or relative what you want to happen to your body in the event of your death.

Think carefully about who will be your ICE partner - choose someone sensible and reliable - particularly if that person has to give consent for emergency medical treatment.