How do I put someone as an emergency contact?

According to the National Safety Council, having an emergency contact readily available can be crucial for first responders, who often check a person's mobile device for this information. Knowing how do I put someone as an emergency contact is a simple but vital step toward ensuring your safety and peace of mind.

Quick Summary

You can designate an emergency contact on both iPhone and Android devices through their respective built-in health or safety apps, making the information accessible from the lock screen. This process also allows you to include important medical details like allergies and conditions, which can be critical for first responders in an urgent situation.

Key Points

• iPhone Emergency Contact: Use the Health app, tap your profile, select Medical ID, and add contacts in the designated section, ensuring 'Show When Locked' is enabled for quick access.

• Android Emergency Contact: Navigate to the 'Safety & emergency' menu in your Settings or a dedicated Safety app, add your contacts, and enable 'Show on lock screen'.

• Provide Medical Info: In addition to contacts, use your phone's built-in features to list allergies, medications, and medical conditions for emergency responders to see instantly.

• Choose Reliable Contacts: Select individuals who are trustworthy, knowledgeable about your medical history, and who can make decisions on your behalf if necessary.

• Keep Physical Copies: Don't rely solely on your phone. Carry a physical emergency card in your wallet with your contacts and essential medical details as a backup.

• Inform Your Contacts: Always tell the people you choose that you have designated them as emergency contacts and share relevant medical information with them.

Adding an Emergency Contact on Your iPhone

For iPhone users, the Health app is the central hub for managing your Medical ID and emergency contacts. This feature is a powerful tool that allows paramedics and other first responders to access your crucial medical information and contact details even if your phone is locked.

Step-by-Step Guide for iPhone

1. Open the Health App: Tap the heart icon to open the pre-installed Health app on your iPhone.
2. Navigate to Medical ID: Tap on your profile picture or initials in the top-right corner. From the profile screen, select Medical ID.
3. Create or Edit: If you haven't set one up before, tap Create Medical ID. If you're updating existing information, tap Edit in the top-right corner.
4. Add Your Contacts: Scroll down to the 'Emergency Contacts' section and tap Add Emergency Contact. Select a contact from your address book.
5. Specify Relationship: After selecting a contact, you'll be prompted to specify your relationship to them (e.g., Parent, Spouse, Friend). This helps emergency personnel understand the context of the contact.
6. Enable Lock Screen Access: In the Medical ID settings, ensure that Show When Locked is toggled on. This is the most critical step for making your information accessible to first responders.
7. Review and Save: Tap Done to save all your changes. It's a good practice to test this by going to your lock screen, tapping 'Emergency,' and then 'Medical ID' to ensure everything appears correctly.

Adding an Emergency Contact on Your Android

Android's process for adding emergency contacts varies slightly depending on the phone manufacturer and version. However, most modern Android devices use a similar process through either the Settings menu or a dedicated Safety app.

Step-by-Step Guide for Android (Modern Devices)

1. Open Settings: Tap the gear icon to open your phone's Settings app.
2. Find Safety & Emergency: Scroll down and tap on the Safety & emergency menu. Some phones might place this under About phone or use a dedicated 'Safety' or 'Personal Safety' app. You can also use the search bar within Settings.
3. Access Emergency Contacts: Tap on Emergency contacts.
4. Add a Contact: Tap Add contact and choose a person from your contact list.
5. Enable Lock Screen Access: Make sure the setting to Show on lock screen is enabled. This feature is crucial for first responders to find your information without unlocking your phone.
6. Complete Medical Info: While in the Safety & emergency menu, also take the time to fill out the Medical info section, which allows you to list allergies, medications, and other critical health data.

Importance of Emergency Contacts Beyond Your Phone

While your smartphone is the most accessible place for emergency information, it's not the only one. Physical forms and external medical alert items provide redundancy and ensure your details are available even if your phone is lost, damaged, or out of battery.

Comparison of Emergency Contact Methods

Method	Pros	Cons	Visibility	Information Stored
Smartphone	Quickest digital access for first responders; most convenient to update.	Dependent on battery life; can be lost or damaged.	Excellent (if setup correctly).	Medical ID, emergency contacts, location sharing.
Wallet Card	Simple, universally understood, and battery-independent.	Can be lost or stolen; limited space for information.	Good (if first responders check wallet).	Basic contact, medical conditions, medications.
Medical Alert Jewelry	Highly visible and specifically designed for medical emergencies.	Can be expensive; limited information stored; may not always have up-to-date details.	Excellent.	Key medical conditions, allergies.
Physical File (Home)	Comprehensive storage for legal and medical documents.	Not portable; only useful if the emergency is at home.	Poor (not for first responders in the field).	Wills, powers of attorney, extensive medical records.

Choosing the Right People for Your Emergency Contacts

When you put someone as an emergency contact, who you choose is just as important as how you do it. Select individuals who are reliable, knowledgeable, and capable of handling a crisis situation.

Who to Consider

• Nearby Relatives or Friends: Someone who lives close by and can quickly respond to the hospital if needed.
• A Responsible Decision-Maker: A person who knows your medical wishes and is authorized to make decisions on your behalf if you are incapacitated. Discuss your healthcare directive with them.
• Multiple Contacts: Consider adding a primary contact and a backup in case the first person is unreachable.
• Don't Forget Legal Authority: For serious medical situations, having a healthcare power of attorney is essential. You can learn more about this process and its importance on legal resource sites, such as Nolo.

Maintaining and Sharing Your Emergency Information

Your emergency information is only useful if it's kept up-to-date. Regularly review your contacts and medical details to ensure accuracy.

Best Practices for Maintenance

• Inform Your Contacts: After adding someone, let them know you have listed them as an emergency contact and what information you've provided. Share your medical details with them so they can speak accurately to first responders.
• Review Annually: Set a yearly reminder to check and update your emergency contacts. This is a great practice after a significant change in health, a change in address, or a relationship status change.
• Create Redundancy: As mentioned in the table, don't rely on just one method. Combine your phone's digital feature with a physical card in your wallet for maximum security.

Conclusion: Your Health and Safety in Your Hands

Taking the time to put someone as an emergency contact is a proactive and responsible step for your personal safety. Whether you use an iPhone's Medical ID or an Android's Safety app, the process is straightforward and offers a critical layer of protection in an emergency. By selecting reliable contacts, keeping their information current, and combining digital convenience with physical backup methods, you empower first responders with the information they need to provide the best possible care when every second counts.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I put someone as an emergency contact on a Samsung phone?

On a Samsung Galaxy phone, go to Settings > Safety and emergency > Emergency contacts. From there, you can add members from your phone's contact list and enable the 'Show on Lock screen' feature.

Can I have more than one emergency contact?

Yes, it is highly recommended to have more than one emergency contact, including a primary and a backup. Both iPhone and Android allow you to add multiple contacts. In an emergency, first responders typically call the first contact listed.

What information should I provide to my emergency contacts?

You should tell your emergency contacts your current medical conditions, allergies, medications, and healthcare providers' contact information. It's also wise to discuss your wishes regarding medical treatment and provide information on any legal documents, like a living will.

Do I need to unlock my phone for first responders to see my emergency contacts?

No, that's the purpose of the Medical ID or Emergency Info feature. By enabling 'Show When Locked' (iPhone) or 'Show on lock screen' (Android), first responders can access your critical information without having to enter your passcode.

What is an 'ICE' contact?

ICE stands for 'In Case of Emergency.' It's a common practice to label your key contacts as 'ICE' in your phone's address book so first responders know who to call. Modern smartphones have evolved to include dedicated features for this, but the ICE label is still widely recognized.

Should I also carry a physical emergency contact card?

Yes, carrying a physical card is a smart practice. It provides a reliable backup in case your phone is not available or functional during an emergency. It is a good idea to keep one in your wallet or purse.

How can I check if my emergency contact is visible on my phone's lock screen?

Lock your phone and then wake the screen. Tap 'Emergency' on the keypad or swipe up for options. Look for the 'Medical ID' or 'Emergency information' button. Tapping it should display your contacts and medical details.