Although most people know the way to avoid emergencies is to careful manage their blood glucose levels. However, sometimes these crises are unavoidable. Hypoglycemia can strike unexpectedly; unintentional overeating or even stress can bring on hyperglycemia; and ketones can unknowingly build up in your body, causing ketoacidosis. In the case of a diabetes-related emergency, or any other incident leaving you unresponsive or unconscious, emergency medical technicians or physicians may look through your wallet or handbag for information about your medical history, emergency contacts or next of kin.
The next place someone might look? In your cell phone.
In case of emergency (ICE)
According to information from USA Today, a British paramedic came up with the concept and acronym for ICE in 2005. Putting an ICE contact (in-case-of-emergency) in your cell phone is one way loved ones or family members can be contacted in case of an emergency.
The simplest way is to program an entry into your phone's address book with your contacts' names and relationships to you. For example, you might add the following to your list of contacts:
- ICE Husband John or ICE Wife Jane
- ICE Mom
- ICE Neighbor Mrs. Clay
Listing your relationship to your contacts can help emergency personnel decide who to call when they need to make a decision about your care or treatment. Some individuals even include a sticker on the back of their phone with a primary ICE contact listed. You should let your friends and family know that they've been listed as your ICE contact, and encourage them to make similar entries in their devices.
Putting ICE information in your cellphone is more than just a cool idea; it could save your life.
