A SMARTPHONE application that could save lives is being rolled out across WA.
The St John Ambulance Western Australia First Responder app enables potentially life-saving first aid before ambulances arrive.
The app alerts trained first aid responders that someone nearby is seriously injured or having a heart attack in the critical minutes before paramedics arrive.
The incident types that will trigger an alert include cardiac arrest, burns and allergic reactions.
St John chief executive Tony Ahern said the app will increase a person’s chance of survival. “For example, if someone suffers a cardiac arrest, for every minute that passes without CPR and defibrillation, their chances of survival decrease by 10 per cent,” he said.
He said the St John State Operations Centre will always send an ambulance regardless of how many first responders are in the vicinity.
The app also lists the locations of registered nearby defibrillators and will include first aid guides for spider bites, electric shock, asthma, bleeds and other conditions.
- Available through Apple or Google Play app stores, search St John First Responder.
