I keep seeing these USB devices that can be "dog tags" or a bracelet or what have you that have your medical data on them ICE the ambulance crew can get the inf. in a hurry.
Are a goodly # of crews set up with a laptop or some kind of reader for these devices?
Vast majority of ambulances have laptops now for getting information about their calls and navigating.
However, most ambulance crews are not going to take the time in an emergency situation to plug it in and search through it. One guy will be driving, the other will be in the back hooking you up with IVs and such.
Even in a hospital ER, the nurses are generally too over run to really take the time to do that (this is all from my experience working in a hospital, I'll see if I can persuade Jacob to post up since he works the ambulance).
From what I've seen, if a cell phone isn't destroyed in a wreck and is on your person, it still may not be found if its in a pocket and they're cutting clothes off. If it is found, someone might take the time to go through it and find a number labeled "Home" or "Mom", "Dad", "ICE", etc.
Wallets may get gone through for finding your ID. Might be a good idea to put a card in there with information.
From the Los Angeles Fire Department (
http://lafd.blogspot.com/2005/08/lafd-talks-about-ice.html):
The Los Angeles Fire Department supports the original ICE concept as a free and potentially helpful tool in the minutes and hours that follow an emergency.
However...
Contrary to several chain e-mail warnings, ICE is not something that Paramedics rush to look for the instant they arrive at an emergency, and is certainly not required in order for LAFD Paramedics to provide quick, focused and compassionate emergency care.
We tell people: Add ICE contact information in your cell phone only after you've affixed similar information to (or near) the official photo identification you routinely carry in your wallet."
