In Case of Emergency-NCC launches national campaign |27 February 2007

By entering the acronym ICE – which stands for ‘In Case of Emergency’ – into the mobile’s phone book, users can log the name and number of someone who should be contacted in an emergency.
 
According to the NCC, the idea was thought up by a UK paramedic who found that when they went to the scenes of accidents, there were always mobile phones with patients, but they didn't know which number to call. He therefore thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name for this purpose.

Following a disaster in London, the East Anglican Ambulance Service launched an "In Case of Emergency (ICE)" campaign. By entering the acronym ICE into the mobile’s phone book, users can log the name and number of someone who should be contacted in an emergency.

The campaign here is also asking parents to think carefully about who will be their children’s ICE partner - particularly if that person has to give consent for emergency medical treatment.
In an emergency situation, Emergency Service personnel and hospital staff would then be able to quickly contact your next of kin, by simply dialing the number stored as "ICE".

As well as adding In Case of Emergency details to their mobile phone as described, NCC also thinks it would be wise for people to include a hard copy of these details in their purse, wallet or children’s school bag, in the form of a clearly labeled contact card. The cards which have an “ICE” Logo are now available at the NCC’s office Bel Eau and in different schools around Mahe, and the inner islands.

“ICE (In Case of Emergency) Cards could save your life, or put a loved one's mind at rest. Let's spread the concept of ICE by storing an ICE number in our mobile phones today!” says an NCC communiqué.

“For more than one contact name simply enter ICE1, ICE 2 and ICE 3 etc.
“ICE should not be limited just to children . We hope that the idea will also spread and be adopted by the  adult population,” adds the communiqué.

“With a small population , the Seychelles could boast an ICE contact for every citizen and looking towards the future, the Ministry of Health and the police division could develop an ICE database with important contacts and medical information such as blood-groups allergies, diabetes or any medical condition that would be useful to have in the casualty department,” says the communiqué.