Do you use the "lock" feature of your cell phone? If so how are the EMTs suppose to find that information?

I have a road ID and I also carry a laminated Emergency Info card in my wallet. When you open my wallet, the red Emergency Info header on the card is clearly visible.

My latest Droid added ICE functionality so that they can call my ICE contacts without unlocking my phone. Someone should have done that sooner.

Yeah, or stolen by the guy who mugged me for my bike. But in most other cases I don't want to be the guy the paramedics are asking
"who is this guy" about.

I work in the local emergency room, so my plan is for everyone to know who I am and probably berate me for getting myself banged up.

ETA: Oh, and as a paramedic, we won't be the ones calling people for you. That will probably be the ER staff if you're lucky and they have time. If you're in serious enough condition, they will not stop working on stabilizing you to call your great Aunt Mabel. The best bet is to make sure your info is on file with the ER/hospitals you will most likely be taken to.

Agreed, or as I suggested programed in a "universal" pattern that first responders could use to unlock a phone with. But the ability to call the I.C.E. contact without having to unlock the phone is even better. Just as one can (at least on my phone) make an emergency call without unlocking it.

Is there anyway to get an ambulance crew to transport one to the hospital that they want to go to instead of the hospital that they (the ambulance crew) want to take the patient to? Such as for a service connected disabled Vet. Is there anyway to get the ambulance crew to transport one to the VA instead of a "civilian" hospital?

Is there anyway to get an ambulance crew to transport one to the hospital that they want to go to instead of the hospital that they (the ambulance crew) want to take the patient to? Such as for a service connected disabled Vet. Is there anyway to get the ambulance crew to transport one to the VA instead of a "civilian" hospital?

Usually No. The VA Hospital in my City will not accept trauma or cardiac patients. We are screamed at if we attempt to do so (by the staff at the VA.) Trauma patients go to the Trauma Center, even bypassing other hospitals. This is State (PA) Law.

This may vary in differant cities, but most VAs are not set up for Emergency Patients.

(30 year Paramedic)

+1

There are myriad factors involved in which hospital a patient is taken to. For example, in my district, there's ONE hospital, a small rural critical access hospital. There are only two ambulances for a massive, sparsely populated area. If you wanted to be taken to a hospital out of our district, we'd say no, because we can't take 50% of our ambulances and paramedics out of district for 3 hours (the time it takes to get to the next closest hospital and back.) If you met trauma activation criteria, you'd get taken to the nearest trauma center. If you were having a STEMI, you'd go to the nearest cath lab (also a 3 hour round trip, but worth it to get you on the table ASAP) Patient preference is at the bottom of the list of reasons to go to a specific hospital.

I mean, sure, if the stars align and we can swing it, we'll do what we can to make sure you end up where you want. But often the decision is completely out of our hands.

Sorry for the delay in responses guys. After posting this I came down with a bad chest infection and a case of hives due to the infection. Now that I am semi back to "normal" I have had time to read the post and respond.

Firstly, I suppose I made my wifes reaction to her leaving her phone behind a little over the top. She was not in a sheer panic but she certainly had some distraught in her voice and I appreciated the concern.

Regarding me and the cell phone. I do have a cell but was not planning on having that be used in the event of an emergency. I am liking the dog tag info solution and putting maybe 3 contacts on there just in case. My ID and such will be in my bag so I am not concerned with them knowing who I am. Just who to call so I can be found by my family. I can see a small accident where I am not able to make a call for a while derailing my commuter attempts and would like to curb that problem before I we get to that bridge. (Wow, there were a lot of possible puns in that last sentence). I just want to make sure someone can contact my family to let them know where I am. That's all.

Thanks for the thoughts guys.

My wife knows that as long as she has not heard from me or a LEO isn't ringing the doorbell everything is okey-dokey.

If either of these two things happen, then there could, potentially, be a problem.

If something does happen to me my DL is in my wallet; and plenty of people around here know who I am.

Currently wear an internet dog tag on a chain around my neck 24/7: Name, address, home phone #, ICE phone #. Usually have a wallet when riding but not on my person. Usually carry a cell, too. It's more for calling for help (come and get me!) for a major mechanical breakdown.

Good question, I never asked/checked; but, since I'm covered 100%, if they can't treat me there, they have to underwrite another local hospital's care in that case. They underwrote the surgery I needed to repair my shattered c-bone in October '08 (that was pretty, a 'small' ridge barely contained by my skin, stuck up about 3" to a point; broken in 5 places, still have the SS plate and 8 screws in there).

In my hospital job, before we admit someone who is VA connected we have to get authorization from the VA. I have NEVER EVER had them accept the patient. We just write in the chart that we called and they said that it was fine, and then they've paid us.

A long time ago I had an accident which smashed my helmet to bits (first time I ever wore one). When the cops and emt's arrived I was conscious, but couldn't answer any questions, even though in my head I knew the answers, but I just couldn't say it. Fortunately the cops knew me (wife worked for pd), and the emt lived across the street from me (emt had a key). They searched my house and found my phone book and called everyone in my wife's family till they found her. Had I been a stranger to them I would have just been a john doe until my head cleared a couple of hours later. Some kind of emergency card is a good idea.

I found a site that does stamped dog tags for a little more but the engraved ones just feel too "petish" to me. For anyone interested here is the link. http://www.wephaus.com/proddetail.php?prod=284570

If you've commited a crime before,they will use your fingerprints to ID the body.....if not they will use your teeth.If you have dentures......your screwed.....they will never figure it out....You'll be buried in an unmarked grave......OMG!!!!!your wife had better not forget that phone again!

I don't have a cell phone,so obviously I will not survive an accident......No need for any plans.

Just dump ya in a river somewhere then?

It might be worth checking into. I'm not quite at your level, but I'm am at 70%.

Ouch, glad you've recovered or are recovering.

We just had this discussion over in the Road forum. I carry a cell phone, ID and contact info and recently got a RoadId because my wife insisted and it was a cheap, easy way to make her feel good. I always figured that at some point, the hospital will want to know where to send the bill - they will find my family. :lol: