First aid-related apps for Android users

As a Boy Scout you learn to be prepared and how to administer first aid, among other things. Over the years some of my first aid skills have gotten a bit rusty. I have taken a number of refresher courses, but knowing that I have a first aid refresher or reference manual in my pocket is awesome. You will find a number of first aid resources online and many for Android devices. Todays post looks at some of the first aid apps available to download.

AR First Aid- Emergency & Home (Free)

This app is from AR Health and on their website they state that their app is aimed to help untrained users to recognize and react to a medical situation. When you first turn on the app, it asks you to set up your GPS so in the event of an emergency your location can be found faster. The main screen of the app has 15 different icons. The first place you should probably visit is the manual, so you can learn how the app is set up. You can add a profile for yourself input your medical info in the event you need help. The app also provides a way to search nearby medical services and a quick link to EMS.

The two most helpful icons or sections in the app are the Human Atlas and Quick Links. When you click on the Human Atlas, you will be presented with an image of a human being. You can then click on an area of the body (where the problem is) and then select the symptom to get some treatment options. The Quick Links section has some links to information such as CPR, choking, bites, and more. You need Internet access to download this as I had to wait a few seconds at times to get the required information.

Ask a Doctor (Free)

This app is brought to you by HealtchcareMagic.com. The premise behind the website and its corresponding app is that you have the ability to submit questions to physicians in almost any area of medicine. In the app you can create a profile which comes with a BMI and calorie calculator. There is a daily health tip section and a Knowledge Center. In the Knowledge Center, there is information on diet and fitness, womens health, mens health, sexology, skin, eating, mental health, pregnancy, eyes, dental and more. Each section comes with some pre-made questions and answers.

The main section is where you can submit a question to the doctor and get feedback. When you click Ask A Doctor, you can either type or speak your question and then choose from a huge list of topics in order to categorize your question. When done, you submit and wait for an answer. It should be noted that there is a $9.95 charge for this service.

First Aid - American Red Cross (Free)

This very useful app comes from the American Red Cross. The app is broken down into three main sections. The first section is called Learn, whereyou can find out about topics such as asthma attacks, burns, choking, head injury, seizures, and much more. Each topic has numbered steps on what to do, some have videos and some offer a Q&A on the topic. The Prepare section will provide helpful tips on how to prepare for disasters such as earthquakes, fire, flu pandemic, drought, hurricanes, wildfire and more. The last section is Emergency. In this section you will learn emergency first aid for the same list of topics that are in the Learn section. Here you will get the key steps to take if you find yourself in that situation.

Some topics have a video and all have a quick link to call 911. The app has a Test section where you can answer questions to see how well you have retained the information and unlock achievements. And in the More section there are links to news, information on taking a course, volunteering, buying a first aid kit, giving blood and more.

GotoAID First Aid Lite (Free)

This app is from GotoAID.com. The premium version has hundreds more topics, video tutorials and free updates. The app is very simple and clear to use. There is one button on the home screen First Aid People. When you open it, you get five sections. Each section provides general information on a topic and easy to follow step-by-step directions for the appropriate responses.

The first aid section is broken down into 10 topics with numerous subtopics. The Essential section has six topics covering general safety practices. The disaster preparedness section covers four natural disasters with safety tips. The tools section has four different helpful topics such as an ID card creator and incident reports. The bottom menu of the app has a first aid kit checklist, a link to find local training facilities and the ability to search for local medical facilities.

iTriage Health (Free)

This app is from iTriageHealth.com, whose mission is Help The World Make Better Healthcare Decisions. This app has nine menu items and covers a large variety of areas. As with the other apps, you can set up your profile, where you can input insurance and medical records. There are also sections where you can search for a local doctor or medical facilities. The app has a section where you can set up various medical hotlines and view a general health news feed.

The main sections of the app are the Symptoms, Conditions, Medications, and Procedures. In the Symptoms section you can indicate where on the body the pain or problem is located. The Conditions section has a huge alphabetical listing of medical conditions, while the Medications section lists medicines alphabetically. When you choose a symptom, medication or condition a new window will open up with a ton of information, links, videos and more on the subject. There is probably more information on the topic that you will ever need. Overall, a very thorough app.

No one really knows how well they will react in an emergency situation, but training and preparation can definitely help. These first aid apps for your Android phone could provide you with the information you need at a critical time.

Download the Appolicious Android app