The American Red Cross recently launched its official first aid app, putting lifesaving information in the hands of smart phone users.
The app is the first in a series to be created by the American Red Cross. It is 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 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," said Jack McMaster, president, Preparedness and Health and Safety Services at the Red Cross. "The broad availability of this platform opens a new opportunity for us to create custom apps, free of charge, tailored to specific emergencies confronting individuals no matter where they are."
App features include:
Step-by-step instructions for everyday first aid scenarios;
Prioritized steps to take during an emergency, with 9-1-1 call button;
Sharable badges to be unlocked through interactive quizzes;
Videos and animations to make learning first aid easier;
Safety and preparedness tips for a range of conditions including severe winter weather, hurricanes, earthquakes and tornadoes;
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 at the Apple App Store and the Google Play store of Android by searching for American Red Cross.