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Mark Stedman/RollingNews.ie

These two apps could really help you in a medical emergency

Hopefully, you will never need to use them but you never know.

NONE OF US would like to think we would get into an accident or be in a situation where we have to help someone quickly.

But it can happen and if it does, it’s a good idea to have yourself prepared in some way. While there are many ways of doing so, some are more useful than others.

One handy app to have on you at all times is First Aid by Irish Red Cross (iOS, and Android). While it helps if you have taken a first aid course, those who haven’t will have enough information here to help them out in an emergency.

As well as instructions, using text, images and video, it will also go through advanced preparation ideas and test you on your knowledge. The fact that it’s free means there’s no excuse not to have it.

First aid First Aid / Google Play First Aid / Google Play / Google Play

If you end up in an accident, having important information like medical data and next of kin contact details handy is very important. This can really help first responders like paramedics, firefighters, and police officers as it can tell them information like blood type and allergies.

That’s the basis for ICE (In Case of Emergency) and it’s easy to set up on your phone.

If you own an iPhone, the Health app allows you to do this. Setting it up will allow anyone to get your details via Medical ID – found by going into the Emergency section on the lock screen.

Some Android phones include a similar feature so check first but if it isn’t there, there are a few apps out there that you can download.

One example is ICE: In Case of Emergency (Android) which creates a permanent notification on the lock screen. Setting it up is straightforward and as as long as you don’t mind it appearing on your notifications, it serves its purpose well.

ICE in case of emergency ICE / Google Play ICE / Google Play / Google Play

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10 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Melanie
    Favourite Melanie
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    Jun 11th 2016, 12:41 PM

    They are great apps but if it’s a life or death situation and you have to take out your phone and open an app and watch videos and read pages how to save them that’s valuable seconds wasted….
    Everyone should do a first aid course every few years no matter what, would save more lives !!! Technology can’t save everyone !!

    65
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony_Kilduff
    Favourite Tony_Kilduff
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    Jun 11th 2016, 12:58 PM

    Kids should learn first aid in school instead of some of the other useless crap they are taught.

    58
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lily
    Favourite Lily
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    Jun 11th 2016, 1:15 PM

    Many do. In TY my daughter learned CPR and how to use a defibrillator.

    She went swimming in a lake yesterday * a local hotspot for teens. No life rings are there or lifeguards but a young lad of non Irish decent jumped into the water and couldn’t swim. He kept going under, all the teens (about 20) weren’t sure if he was acting the maggot. Anyhow my daughter jumped in and dragged him the the edge of the lake then roared at him for jumping in if he can’t swim and told him to get out. *she has never done lifesaving classes but is an ok swimmer, she would have been able to do cpr if needed. But this lake is 4 mile from town and they have to cross two fields to get to it. He could have made a deadly decision had all the teens not been there.

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bunny Johnson
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    Jun 11th 2016, 1:56 PM

    In TY year it’s too late and not everyone dies TY. We did it into scouts around 12 odd. It’s simple snd potentially life saving.

    13
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    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Get Lost Eircodes
    Favourite Get Lost Eircodes
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    Jun 11th 2016, 2:17 PM

    Yea useless crap like religion…

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony_Kilduff
    Favourite Tony_Kilduff
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    Jun 11th 2016, 5:10 PM

    There’s always one on every article… Yawn

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cormac Flanagan
    Favourite Cormac Flanagan
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    Jun 11th 2016, 11:46 AM

    I wear a road id bracelet all the time with medical and next to kin details. Also have all the same details as my screen saver for the phone. While it may be extreme I sure It would help if I ever am in an accident.

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rusty Balls
    Favourite Rusty Balls
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    Jun 11th 2016, 12:33 PM

    I have… one or two health issues, and have to take a lot of medication. I was given a present of an SOS pendant by a relative a few years ago, these also come in bracelet format I believe, and have the medical symbol on them, when opened they contain a small piece of paper on which you write all your medical information, which in my case is a lot.
    A few years ago I was chatting to a paramedic in the back of an ambulance as he was bringing me from one hospital to another and he happened to remark on this pendant. He pointed out that in any emergency situation he might look for one on my wrist, to see if I have a cardiac issue, if I’m epileptic, diabetic etc. but he won’t waste time trying to open one of these pendants or one of the USB types and then go looking for a computer to read it on. I now have one of the bracelet types.
    As that paramedic said, in any emergency situation they won’t waste time saying ‘where’s his phone I want to check his apps, you never know’. If you have an illness help them out, make it obvious for them.

    41
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Frank Higgins
    Favourite Frank Higgins
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    Jun 11th 2016, 1:56 PM

    Very interesting comment Rusty Balls. Help them help you.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jon Coll
    Favourite Jon Coll
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    Jun 11th 2016, 4:04 PM

    The ICE can be set up on any phone using android or os. So set up your contact and even if your phone gets lost and some non thieving good willing person can ring it and get it back to you hopefully.

    4
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