The Smart Medical Alert That Might Save Your Life In Case Of Emergency
ICEPASS is a groundbreaking smart medical alert system. The ICEPASS Card and The Safety Helmet ICEPASS are designed to give users peace of mind and provide first responders with critical information in the event of an emergency.
ICEPASS has been developed by UK-based technology company ICE TECH Ltd, and the system is designed for everyone from those with medical conditions through to active sports people, globetrotters, construction workers, office staff, school groups and many more settings.
Carrying or wearing an ICEPASS makes total sense for almost anyone - you never know when you might be in an emergency situation where knowing your vital information could be critically important.
The card can be carried in a purse or wallet, or on a lanyard, and the Safety Helmet ICEPASS can be securely stuck to most types of safety helmets. Other form factors like wrist bands are either at the design stage or already in production.
In the event of a medical or other emergency, a first responder can access the user's emergency information by using an NFC-enabled mobile device to tap the ICEPASS and be connected to the user's ICEPASS Profile. To work, the user simply needs a data or Wi-Fi connection.
The user's ICEPASS Profile is not held on the ICEPASS, it is securely held on our servers. This means the user can log in using two factor authentication and edit their information at any time, for example, if their medication changes.
Once the first responder has accessed the user's ICEPASS, they can send an alert to the user’s emergency contacts. The user's chosen emergency contacts will then receive an email which will show a map of where the ICEPASS was activated, the contact details of the first responder and any message entered by the first responder.
Setting up the ICEPASS is very easy and a one-time operation - the user can easily edit the information and add/delete as many ICEPASS devices as they wish. Once registered, the user needs to fill out their ICEPASS Profile, which is what others will see in the event of an emergency, so it is important to only put information on their profile that they would want to be found. One of the sections asks the user to enter the details of their emergency contact(s) and it is important to ensure that the user asks the permission of their chosen individuals that they agree to be emergency contacts.
Unlike most medical alerts, ICEPASS does not show any personal details of Emergency Contacts. We hold that information securely, and it is only used when alerts are sent to your Emergency Contacts once your ICEPASS is activated by a First Responder or activated by the ICEPASS Member themselves.
Things you might be wondering about…
Data Security
Understandably, people are concerned about their personal data. If an ICEPASS is activated, the only information displayed is the vital information that the user would want others to know in the event of an emergency - normally medical conditions and details of medications. The ICEPASS holder is totally in control of what information is displayed and that information can be edited via a log in that requires two factor authentication. It does not display personal data such as address, phone numbers, passport details, driving license details etc that the unscrupulous could use to steal identity.
An ICEPASS holder can ask others to be their Emergency Contacts. The Emergency Contacts’ phone and email address are held securely on our server and not displayed. Those details are only used by us to send out emergency alerts.
Mapping
One of the features that make ICEPASS unique is the ability to send secure alerts to your emergency contacts - could be your partner, spouse, close friend etc, and these alerts contain a map of your location. The accuracy of the map displayed relies on the quality of the data connection of the mobile device sending the alert. In testing on mountains, in cities, in country areas, the result has been impressively accurate but it just needs to be pointed out that there is always the possibility it can be less accurate and can be used as a guide.
Mapping also displays local medical facilities such as emergency rooms, hospitals, doctor surgeries, dentists and pharmacies should the ICEPASS holder need directing to any of those.
Accuracy of Medical Information
The ICEPASS Holder is totally in control of the information they load on their profile. Only they (or someone they trust to do it for them) can edit the information and we use two factor authentication to make the log in process as secure as we can.
Safety Helmet ICEPASS and glue!
The Safety Helmet ICEPASS is specifically designed to work on non-metallic safety helmets. Bike helmets, snowsports helmets, and site safety helmets are typically made from ABS or polycarbonate, and our ICEPASS is designed to work with all such helmets without affecting the integrity of the helmet. The exact same type of acrylic adhesive is used for mounting action camera mounts. If the user is in any doubt, they should check with their helmet manufacturer.
The surface of the safety helmet must be smooth. Many horse riding helmets have a rough surface, and ICEPASS does not adhere well to that type of surface. We use 3M Adhesive Transfer Tape 467MP - chosen for its outstanding adhesion to plastics, and excellent shear strength to resist slippage and edge lifting. The tape is temporarily repositionable for placement accuracy. It also performs well after exposure to humidity and hot/cold temperatures and offers excellent moisture, solvent, UV, and temperature resistance.
Paramedics are clueless… about who you are
Paramedics are, of course, not clueless, they are very highly trained and competent individuals who are the very opposite of clueless but some things are outside their control. In our quest to design and launch a next-level smart medical alert system, we have confidentially consulted a number of experienced paramedics. What they reveal is fascinating - for example, they’ll tell you that often they haven’t got a clue who their patient is, especially if that patient is unconscious, alone, or confused. Even if they discover a name and address, they can be totally in the dark about what medical conditions a patient may have and what medications they might be taking.
Yes, paramedics may look through a patient's personal belongings, such as wallets or purses, for important information about the patient's medical history or identity. They may also look for wristbands, pendants, or other forms of identification that may indicate the patient has a medical condition or is on certain medications. This information can be critical in providing appropriate care and ensuring the patient receives the right treatment. Additionally, having a clear understanding of the patient's identity is important for ensuring they receive the correct medical treatment and follow-up care.
Some people store ICE information in their phones but paramedics tell us it is alarming just how many phones ‘go missing’ before they arrive at the incident, are out of battery or have no ICE information stored in their ICE app!
At the scene of a medical emergency paramedics have a lot to do. Their first job is to consider any potential hazards at the scene, assess the patient's condition and, if necessary, provide life-saving interventions such as CPR, advanced airway management, and administration of medications. It is really useful to have as much information as possible about the patient.
Gathering vital information about the patient is an important part of the job as they often need to communicate with hospital staff en route to the hospital to ensure the patient receives appropriate care as soon as they arrive. They may also need to provide ongoing medical treatment and monitoring during transport to the hospital.
The level of information they’d like to know includes:
- The obvious personal information - Patient's name, age, gender etc
- Chief complaint or symptoms the patient is experiencing.
- Medical history, including any pre-existing conditions and current medications.
- Allergies to medications or treatments.
- Vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse rate, and breathing rate.
- Level of consciousness and ability to respond.
- Any recent injuries or trauma.
ICEPASS Smart Medical Alerts have been designed with all this in mind. Where time is precious and information is key, all it takes is one tap of an NFC-enabled mobile device and the paramedic gains access to the patient’s ICEPASS Profile where they can find details of medical conditions, medications, allergies and, uniquely, a secure method of contacting the patient’s emergency contacts.