ICE - In Case Of Emergency

[kat]

So has everybody had their ICE SMS's? (Suggesting people store their emergency contact in their mobiles under the contact name ICE) Do people think it's a good idea? The Advertiser had a poll to see if people thought it was a good idea and had a lukewarm negative response.

I understand that in other countries where it has taken off people have been swamped with email messages advising them that storing ICE in your phone will result in hackers interfering with your phone. This "urban myth" is reported to have put a lot of people off using the ICE number.

[CyberCitizen]

I Think It Would Be A Good Idea If Alot Of People Were To Start Using It & Knew What ICE Stood For.  Eg The Gov Might Need To Do A Few TV Ad Campains.

[firefighter_sa]

Hi there

I agree with the above statements - everything helps.

Wayne

[Mike]

The idea has potential, although, i've found a few mobiles and 'home', 'mum' or 'dad' always seem like good bets to me.

[JamesGar]

Official SAPOL line on I.C.E. is that they do not support it, and definitely don't support the circulating text via SMS and Email. SAAS is of the same opinion currently.

My personal belief is contact in emergencies is a SAPOL issue, and they have the means to currently follow that up. If urgent information is required about a persons medical or allergy history then I'd say you the proven Medi-Alert braclet system.

[oz fire]

Two defined camps and pros and cons for both!

At least with the SAPol line, it prevents people who think they are 'doing the right thing' from contacting family with bad news - prior to the experts in the field assessing and stabilising the situation.

However,

It appears from on-line newspapers that other states and countries are supporting it whole heartedly and encouraging the concept.

If it's there it would be useful if used correctly, if it's not, there are the traditional, slower methods, that have the same result, over time!

[strikeathird]

Exctly right Ozfire.   I think Sapol would be trying to avoid exactly that, having family members get told there sons/daughters/mothers/fathers have been killed or seriously injured, by a phone call from a random civilian.  Which would create alot more problems.  I dont think your phone can be hcaked through the I.C.E caller i.d  as has been suggested.