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09 October 2018

Four smartphone apps that could help save a life

Every year thousands of people lose their lives due to the lack of confidence that bystanders have to step in and begin First Aid before the emergency services arrive. However the chance of survival can sometimes double if somebody performs immediate CPR.

Today there are smartphone apps that will monitor a heart rate, heat a house and even start a car remotely, so it’s no surprise that there are now apps available in the App Store and Google Play that can help to save a life. In honour of ‘Restart A Heart Day 2018’ our medical negligence team recommend downloading some, if not all of the apps listed below in addition to updating your Medical ID, because one day you might be needed to help save a life!


Life 360

Life 360 is a location sharing app and is said to be the best way to coordinate with family and friends. The app offers a real-time location of friends and family members on a private map and users can set the app up to receive alerts when their friend or family member arrives/leaves home, school or work.

Spend less time worrying where your loved ones are with the Life 360 app. It’s available to download for free and also features a crash detection service as well as ‘Driver Protect’. Driver Protect will monitor the driving behaviour of another user and send information on speeding, if the user is texting while driving or driving irresponsibly. The crash detection service uses the accelerometer on the smartphone to automatically detect if a crash has occurred and will alert family, giving you ‘peace of mind while your family is on the road’.


First Aid by British Red Cross

‘Free, simple and life-saving’.

The app developed by the British Red Cross features videos, quizzes and simple advice on what to do in the event of an emergency - all information is hosted on the app so there’s no need for an internet connection.

Learn first aid for allergies, anaphylaxis, broken bones, burns and much more – there’s even an opportunity to test yourself after each section to check how much you’ve learned.


St Johns Ambulance First Aid

Similarly to First Aid by British Red Cross, St Johns Ambulance developed this app with the determination to prevent unnecessary deaths in which injured people required first aid, but did not receive it.

The app includes the latest first aid advice and protocols for dealing with emergency situations and combines simple, easy to follow illustrated guides with voiced over instructions. St Johns Ambulance did not intend for this app to replace the benefits of learning first aid, but explain that it will help in crucial moments when basic knowledge of first aid can make a difference.


GoodSAM

GoodSAM operates internationally and should be downloaded by any person(s) registered as a first aider, doctor, nurse or paramedic to allow them to contact those in need.

The GoodSAM app integrates with the ambulance service system to trigger an alert to first aiders in the case of a local incident while the ambulance is dispatched and on route.

The app was developed with the aim to prevent irreparable brain and heart damage following cardiac arrest or a traumatic incident, because for every minute that a person doesn’t have defibrillation or CPR, chances of survival fall by 10%.


October 16th 2018 – Restart A Heart Day aims to teach CPR skills to as many people as possible. Find out how to get involved here.

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