We go out of our way and do a number of things to ensure that we’re ready for whatever life throws at us. This is why some of us take first aid and CPR courses, have first aid kits scattered around the house, in the car and even in the office drawer. But no matter how prepared we try to be, there’s always the chance that when an emergency happens, the nearest thing within reach is not our first aid kit, but our iPhone.
At first glance, iPhone apps might appear frivolous, with people thinking of it as a joke or a game. But the First Aid and CPR apps that have been developed so far were done as a way to help refresh someone’s memory in the event of an emergency or to provide knowledge. The following are some of the best CPR apps around.
Pocket First Aid & CPR for the iPhone and iPod Touch
• CPR Buddy:
This app was developed to help first aid responders time the rate that they’re administering chest compressions. The user will just click on either “cardiac CPR” or “respiratory CPR” and it will start timing the compression rates through a series of beeps that are timed accordingly. The best thing about this app is that the beeps change tone when the responder has to switch from chest compressions to mouth to mouth resuscitation. However, the app does take getting use to and for first time users, this might be more of a hindrance than a help. Plus, the user has to know the difference between the two kinds of CPR in order to know which system to click.
• American Medical Aid:
This is an app that came from the minds of Creative Coefficient. The company was able to develop an app that’s a combination first aid reference guide and emergency contact sheet. This app is very handy and has a very detailed Resources section that gives clear instructions on what to do during different situations and it’s even organized by category (i.e car accident, drug overdose, heart attack etc). The biggest and main drawback about the American Medical Aid app is how it was designed to present the information. Instructions are often complex and long. It would be so much better if the instructions were simple, easy to read and understand. Pictures that show what needs to be done would have been a big help too. However, the app does have a unique and much needed feature, the Call area. This feature lets the smart phone owner program in his or her medical contacts and emergency numbers, instantly converting the iPhone into something like a distress signal.
• Pocket First Aid & CPR:
This is a brainchild of Jive Media. The app has a big collection of first-aid data that are organized into several drill-down menus. The nicest thing about the app is that the medical terms are printed in red and are linked to other information. Users can click on the word and get more information. This is good when the injury presents itself with different symptoms. Reviews for the app are generally positive, although some users have noticed that its information about CPR is a little confusing. This is probably because of the difference in procedure between St Mark James and the American Heart Association.
These iPhone apps are undoubtedly handy and can be an essential part of your first aid kit. Any one of them carries enough information that can help you get through a medical emergency. However, the best way to learn and be prepared is still to take CPR courses and just use these apps as a reference guide.