This Phone Setting Can Save Your Life

One of the first things many people do when they purchase a new mobile phone is set up a code that locks the device preventing unauthorized use.  This is a very good practice since many of us have lots of very personal information stored in our smart phones and some of it would be very attractive to identity thieves or other miscreants.  I recommend that everyone set security codes for most all of their digital accoutrements.

 

Setting the code, however, should be followed by an equally important step: the setting up of the “In Case of Emergency” settings and information.  This can easily be done in a few minutes on most iPhones and Android devices.  Unfortunately, many people never get around to it and, in some cases, this can mean the difference between life and death.

For the sake of this article I am going to go through the set up steps for iPhones running iOS 8.0 or higher.  Android phones are very similar and your instruction book will have the details.

If you look at your iPhone’s screen after you turn it on and get to the screen where you enter your code, you will notice at the bottom of the screen the word “Emergency.”  Touching this word with your finger will call up your telephone dial and allow the phone to call only 911without being unlocked.  You will also see the words “Medical ID” at the bottom of the screen.  If you have activated this feature, in an emergency the first responders can get information about you, your medical history, blood type, drug allergies and even a person to call.  But in order for this to be available to life savers you first must enter the information and activate the app.

Your iPhone running iOS 8.0 will have a preinstalled Health App.  It will have a little red heart within a white square as the icon.  Click on that app and, when it launches, look at the bottom of the screen for an asterisk-like symbol and the words ‘Medical ID.  Tap on the words and follow the instructions.

You need to decide how much information you wish to share here but, at a minimum I suggest including an emergency contact, blood type and any condition or allergy that a first responder should know if you are not able to communicate.

After you activate your phone’s medical emergency info, ask a friend if they have activated theirs.  It could save their life.