5 apps that could save your life
We are lucky to live in a time of smartphones. From surfing the web on the go, video calling family or playing games to pass the time, these devices often seem like lifesavers. But did you know there are many apps out there which could actually save your life?
You never know what can happen so with that in mind, we’ve found the best 5 apps that could save your life. We’re hoping you don’t need them, but we believe it is always better to be prepared.
First Aid by St John Ambulance Australia, $4.99
Helping to prepare you for any emergency, the St John Ambulance Australia app covers the most common and critical conditions. With step-by-step instructions and large images, expect advice on allergic reactions, bites and stings, chest pains, choking, diabetic emergency, sprains, fractures and many more. It also has up-to-date guidelines for administering CPR.
Developed with the help of paramedics, nurses, doctors, this First Aid app will be a lifesaver in an unexpected emergency. As St John’s Project Manager Shay McAuley says on the website, “With first aid, every second counts. In most cases, a few simple steps can spell the difference between life and death.”
Blood Pressure Companion, free for iPhone or 0.99c for android
High blood pressure (or hypertension) is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, stroke, heart failure and renal failure. Thus, keeping track of your blood pressure is important for your health and wellbeing. With Blood Pressure Companion it has never been easier to track blood pressure, heart rate and weight. You just plug in all your data such as measurements and dates and the app monitors your blood pressure for you in easy to view coloured charts and graphs. You can even email reports straight to your doctor if there are any problems.
iBreastCheck, free
This one is for the ladies, although it is important to remember breast cancer can affect men as well. According to Breast Cancer Network Australia, breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women. The risk of developing breast cancer increases with age with the average age of first diagnosis at 60 years.
It is vital then you know the signs of breast cancer because the earlier the cancer is found, the better the chance of beating it. This app provides you with all the information you need to identify those signs, a slideshow and video to help you perform self-examinations and reminders for breast checks.
Think FAST by National Stroke Foundation, free
Stroke is the second biggest killer in Australia and the leading cause of disability. This app will help you understand what a stroke is and recognise the warning signs of a stroke using the FAST (Face, Arm, Speech, Time) test. If you spot any of these signs, it’s imperative you call 000 straight away. Time is critical because the sooner stroke patients get to the hospital, the sooner they’ll get treatment which is crucial for recovery.
The app also locates specialised stroke units in hospitals around Australia.
Emergency + by Fire Rescue New South Wales, free
This app helps you call the right number at the right time so emergency services can best respond to your needs. It provides you with information about when to call 000, as well as the numbers to call in non-emergency situations.
Most importantly, this lets you know your GPS coordinates. This means you can read it out to operators if you are unsure about your exact location in an emergency.