Hey kiddies, its time for the afterschool special, public service announcement. I’m sure you’ve heard by now that mom only found dad by calling around to different police departments. This is uncool by any means, but even harder to wrap our heads around was the fact that dad kept phone numbers (and thinly-veiled social security numbers) of pretty much everyone he’s ever got a number for in his wallet. This business card-sized piece of paper was two slots up from his drivers license, which was taken out of his wallet (along with $130, but whatev…) Also, his cellphone was in the bike’s saddlebags and is still in working condition. I appreciate they had more important things to take care of right off the bat, but how did no one get assigned “hey kid, go google Skarich and see if you can find a phone number” in eight hours?
None of us think we’ll ever be in this situation, but just in case, let me give you a couple suggestions. First, (which I’m sure you’ve heard of before), pick out your emergency contact and put “ICE” in front of their name on your cellphone’s contact list. That “ICE” stands for “in case of emergency”. Supposedly, EMTs know about this and know to look for it. Secondly, write out the name and telephone number of two emergency contacts on a small piece of paper and stick it directly behind your driver’s license. This way it will be seen immediately.
I suggest two names for a couple of reasons. One, you could be like me…my mom should be the one that makes the big time medical decisions, but its Nikki (yup, congrats, girlfriend) who could get to the hospital quickly and take care of immediate decisions. (I’m allergic to penicillin and have United Healthcare Insurance, N.) On the other hand, if you have a significant other that would be your emergency contact, there’s a chance they may be with you in the accident. Heaven forbid, but just in case this happens, you want to make sure someone else is able to take care of the both of you.
I apologize for the morbidity of this post, but I did a pretty decent dance with a blown out tire, a station wagon from New Hampshire and a SUV with no control this afternoon and as we all know… you never know!
This would be great too in case your family is locked and trapped inside their car on the edge of the highway with no way to escape because the electrical system has shorted out! "Help Me!" That way they could all be able to call their ICE contacts…or wait, would the cell phones in the car just all have started to ring??? "Everyone don't panic…just get out your ICE."I kid, I kid. But man that story was funny. Your post is actually a very very good tip. Thanks 🙂
EMT's do know about ICE but would never call. It would be a HIPPA violation and we would probably get sued and lose our license. I don't know why the ER Doc didn't call, he could have been very busy. The cops know who to call or where to go as soon as they run a plate. It really should be up to the police. They are not bound and gagged by HIPPA regs.