X-Message-Number: 5466
Date: Fri, 22 Dec 1995 18:52:34 -0800
From: (American Cryonics Society)
Subject: Rob Michels Tragedy
Whenever any signed-up suspension member of any society dies and is not
suspended, it raises the alarm with ALL societies. We must examine the
circumstances carefully to try to determine if such a grievous loss of life
is unpreventable, or if there are weaknesses in our respective programs, or
in the member's conduct, which can be corrected in future cases.
I respect and applaud the decision by Alcor to make this incident public so
we may all be aware of possible similar cases in the future.
WHAT IS TO BECOME OF PROCEEDS FROM INSURANCE?
If Alcor gets the insurance policy proceeds even though the member was not
suspended, it presents the problem of a society having a disincentive for
doing everything it can to suspend a member. I know the principals in
Alcor well enough to know that such motivation played no part in decisions
in this case. However, the design of the suspension program itself should
be such that there is no benefit to the organization from a non-suspension.
I don't know if Alcor has come to grips with this problem or not, but I
think it important enough to merit response.
CARRY MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON YOUR PERSON
The report that the police declined to call the Alcor emergency number
because they made the decision on their own that decomposition was so
advanced that suspension was not possible is a problem we can ameliorate in
future cases.
Because I wanted to provide more information to medical emergency personnel
than can conveniently be inscribed on a medic alert bracelet, several years
ago I purchased a watchband inscribed with a medical notification emblem
which has a pocket for a slip of paper with emergency medical instructions.
With the readability of laser printing, small print can be used, and quite
a lot of information printed on the paper. This medical information watch
supplements the medic alert bracelet or can stand alone as a method of
notification.
Information printed in small type and folded to put into a wallet is
another way to provide more detailed instructions. Of course there is
always the possibility that the wallet instructions, or the watch band
instructions, will not be read. However, little is lost by going this
extra mile.
I want to add to my own instructions informing the reader that he or she is
to call the emergency number regardless of the circumstances of death, or
the time which has elapsed since. While I can certainly come up with
written instructions on my own, I want to word them to maximize the
possibility of response by jaded police officers or ambulance drivers, and
invite suggested wordings from subscribers.
800 NUMBER AND REWARD TO CALL?
Years ago, a non-800 emergency number was used on the medic alert emblems
worn by ACS members. For many years we have had a dedicated 800 number to
make it as easy as possible to call. Does Alcor also imprint its medical
notification emblems with an 800 emergency response number?
We once experimented with wallet cards which offered a $100 reward for
calling the number in an emergency. This plan was abandoned as counter
productive since it was not consistent with other organ donation, and might
suggest a commercial aspect which could lead to the instructions being
intentionally ignored by some people. Perhaps the reward idea should be
revisited?
MEDIC ALERT OR OTHER SERVICE?
There has been an ongoing discussion among cryonicists for years as to the
best form of medical alert emblems. In 1972, arrangements were made with
the Medic Alert Foundation to make use of its service and emblems to
benefit ACS suspension members. Among other advantages are that the
foundation itself acts as a back-up to any in-house service by providing a
second phone number answered by Medic Alert with more detailed emergency
instructions. The emblem service used by Alcor, while not as well known as
Medic Alert, provides more space on the bracelet itself for more detailed
instructions. Years ago Alcor made the decision to use this alternate
emblem. I don't want to revisit old differences, and I am not suggesting
that Alcor's choice is inferior, however, it is reasonable to inquire
whether the emblem itself, or its printed instructions, played a part in
the decision not to call Alcor by those who obviously saw the bracelet?
REWARD TO RELATIVES?
While we are all aware of the desirability of informing friends and
relatives of our decision to be suspended, we should also frankly discuss
with them what we desire in "worst case" scenarios.
We suggest discouraging suits filed by relatives against the cryonic
society through the use of a clause in the member's will disinheriting
relatives who sue. Perhaps we should also add a clause which designates a
specific cash reward to relatives who are judged by the cryonics society to
have "cooperated fully?"
Long life,
Jim Yount
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American Cryonics Society (408)734-4200
FAX (408)734-4441
P.O. Box 1509
Cupertino, CA 95015
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