The American National Red Cross now has an official first aid app, putting free and simple lifesaving information right in the hands of smart phone users. The American National Red Cross now has an official first aid app, putting free
The American National Red Cross now has an official first aid app, putting free and simple lifesaving information right in the hands of smart phone users.
App features include:
l Simple step-by-step instructions for everyday first aid scenarios and prioritized steps to take during an emergency, with 9-1-1 call button;
l Sharable badges to be unlocked through interactive quizzes;
l Videos and animations to make learning first aid fun and easy;
l Safety and preparedness tips for a range of conditions including severe winter weather, hurricanes, earthquakes and tornadoes, and
l Preloaded content that gives instant access to all safety information at any time.
The app is free and available for iPhone and Android users. Find the app in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store for Android by searching for American Red Cross.
This app is the first in a series to be created by the Red Cross, the nation’s leader in first aid and emergency preparedness information. It’s also the only first aid app created or endorsed by the American Red Cross for use on both the Android and iPhone platforms.
It gives instant access to information on how to handle the most common first aid situations, and includes videos and interactive quizzes.
Users who take quizzes can earn badges they can share with friends through social media to show off their lifesaving knowledge.
The app takes critical first aid information normally stored on bookshelves and in pamphlets and places it at the fingertips of tens of millions of individuals – which will save lives. The Red Cross app includes trusted Red Cross disaster preparedness information for a number of common situations.
The penetration of personal smart phone ownership in the U.S. has recently risen above 60 percent and will likely soon reach the level of traditional wire line phones. The broad availability of this platform opens a new opportunity to create custom apps, free of charge, tailored to specific emergencies confronting individuals no matter where they are, said Red Cross officials.
The American Red Cross First Aid app is a free and easy way to get lifesaving first aid instruction and disaster preparedness information anytime, anywhere,” said Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council Chair Dr. David Markenson.
“Everyone should load this onto their smart phone as an important first step in learning what to do for medical emergencies and in creating a family preparedness plan.”
The new app builds on the American Red Cross legacy of teaching first aid and lifesaving skills to people across the country. An average of more than 9 million people a year receive Red Cross training in first aid, water safety and other skills that help save lives. A youtube clip shows some of the features of the app.
Markenson noted that downloading the app is not a substitute for training. To learn more about American Red Cross first aid or register for a course, visit redcross.org/takeaclass.
The Red Cross is a nonprofit humanitarian organization which provides assistance to meet the immediate emergency needs of those affected by disasters. All Red Cross assistance to disaster victims is free. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it depends on public contributions to help others. Your gift supports the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross in your community, across the country and around the world. To send a contribution, mail your check to: American Red Cross, Hawaii State Chapter, 4155 Diamond Head Road, Honolulu, HI 96816. Make a secure online donation at www.hawaiiredcross.org or call 808-739-8109.
