In Case of Emergency (ICE)
Do you carry Emergency Contact Details with you on walks?
We hope they will never be needed, but if you were taken ill or had an accident on a walk they could be the only way we could look after you properly and contact your relatives. For this reason we ask you to confirm that you are carrying a card, preferably laminated or encased in a plastic cover, in the top of your rucksack, with your name, emergency telephone contact, and details of any medical conditions and medication carried, which could be useful in case of illness or accident. Other forms of easily accessible ICE details are equally acceptable.
We have a form you can download here.
Have you got an ICE number on your phone?
The emergency services encourage all of us to enter a contact number in our mobile phone’s memory under the heading ICE – (which stands for In Case of Emergency). Paramedics or police would then be able to use it to contact. a relative.
Did you know?
You can also register your mobile phone to send emergency text messages direct to 112, which are even more likely to get through than a voice call? You are strongly advised to look at this video to learn more about how to contact the emergency services.
Do you know what to do in case of an Emergency?
- Make sure the casualty is comfortable and keep them warm.
- If you are in a group, make sure they are warm and keep together.
- Make a note of the casualty’s injuries or problems as well as items such as their sex, age, general health etc.
- Make a note of your position. The more accurate this is, the easier it for the emergency services to find you.
- Dial 112 or 999.
- If you are very close to a road and need an ambulance you can ask for the Ambulance Service. However, if you are any distance from a road, the Ambulance Service may not find you and, even if they do, be unable to get to you. In that case, ask for the Police Service and then ask them to call out Mountain Rescue. You cannot directly call out the Air Ambulance, that is a decision for the Emergency Services.
- Mountain Rescue may call you back, so keep your phone on at all times. They are also able to track your position from your phone's GPS data.
- Stay with the casualty until the Emergency Services arrive. This could easily take 2 hours or more, if you are in a remote area.