The German ADAC published the following useful reminder in its December 2009 issue:

This program has spread across Europe and Australia and is also becoming popular in North America.

In case of emergency (ICE) is a program that enables emergency personnel, such as paramedics, firefighters, and police officers, to identify victims and notify their next of kin and/or to obtain important medical information.

How? ICE encourages people to enter emergency contacts in their mobile phone address book under the name ICE. Alternately, a person can list multiple emergency contacts as ICE1, ICE2, etc.

In the event of a trauma, it is critical to obtain medical information quickly which can increase the victim’s chances of survival. With ICE in your phone, that time can be significantly reduced. Emergency responders can quickly find out whom to contact to confirm the identity of a casualty. Additionally, the ICE contact may be able to provide vital medical information such as blood group and allergies, and give consent for emergency treatment.

Please set up an ICE in your mobile and remind your friends and loved ones to do the same.

Thanks to British paramedic Bob Brotchie, who came up with this idea in 2005.

Thanks to ADAC for publishing this important message.