From on-the-go banking to real-time weather updates, apps have changed the way people use mobile technology. While most apps are designed with practicality in mind, a new breed of apps are focusing on saving lives by promoting health, wellness and personal safety.
Want to give your smartphone a life-saving edge? Head to the app store and download these hand-picked apps that could end up saving your life.
The St John’s NZ CPR
In emergency situations, the ability to perform cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, aka CPR, can mean the difference between life and death. Cue the St John NZ CPR mobile app, which empowers smartphone owners with lifesaving skills that can be applied to everyday situations. Get familiar with adult, child and infant tutorials, as well as tutorials on how to use AEDs.
Abletech’s AED locations
Using an AED (automated external defibrillator) alongside CPR can significantly boost the patient’s chance of survival. You can find AEDs at places such as airports, stadiums and anywhere with a large amount of people, but if you don’t know where to find the nearest AED, you can quickly search using Abletech’s AED location app.
Breast Cancer Now
Breast cancer affects around one in every nine New Zealand women, with 70% of patients aged 50 and over. The earlier breast cancer is detected, the higher the chances of survival which is where the Breast Cancer Now app steps up. It encourages women to be ‘breast aware’ and set up a regular routine designed to detect lumps and irregularities. As well as installing the app on your own phone encourage your loved ones to do the same.
NZ Blood Service Donor
As well as safeguarding your own health, the NZ Blood Service Donor app makes it easy to help save the lives of others. The user-friendly app allows you to search for donation banks, book your next appointment, look up your donation history and even snap selfies to share with family and friends while you’re donating.
Red Cross Hazard App
Designed exclusively for Kiwis, the Red Cross Hazard App empowers you with up-to-the-minute information on disaster alerts and emergency situations. The free app not only helps you identify hazards, but also preloads content to guide you through emergencies, which means you’ll be well-prepared even without phone or internet signal.
GoodSAM
Drawing on people power, GoodSAM connects trained volunteers with members of the public in need of emergency assistance. Simply download the GoodSAM Alerter app and press the ‘Call for Help’ button if you witness an emergency. This will immediately alert the nearest first aider and send help to the scene ASAP.
Medical ID
Similar to a dog tag, Medical ID allows you to create personal profiles that can be accessed from the lock screen of your smartphone. This means bystanders will be able to access vital information like your blood type, allergies and medical contacts in an emergency situation.
Do you have any must-download apps? We’d love to hear from you so go ahead and share in the comments below.