In a world of technology and information, it seems like we can get anything at our fingertips. The same is true for CPR and first aid training. Whether it’s to provide immediate care to life threatening emergencies or to practice prevention, there are a bunch of great apps out there to help you feel confident when dealing with emergencies. I did quite a bit of research on the best CPR apps for 2019 and what could provide the most diversity, depending on your scope of practice, geography and internet connection. I also just purchased the newest Google Pixel 3XL and when uploading my contacts, emails and favorite apps, I made sure to download these 5 CPR apps to my new phone. While there are an endless stream of first aid apps out there, here is an informative quick list of the best First aid and CPR Apps to download to your mobile device today.

1. Pocket First Aid and CPR App was recently redesigned to reflect the latest standards of the American Heart Association’s latest guidelines on CPR, resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care. It has step by step instructions when providing care for adults, children and babies and features 34 new videos and 46 high resolution illustrations and images. Content ranges from Safety, Sample First Aid Kit, After the Emergency, Phoning for Help, and Finding the Problem. It also has a section where you can input your personal health information so that in the event of a personal emergency, EMS can access your personal medical history. This app is so effective that US Filmmaker Dan Woolley is willing to stake his life on it (https://www.wired.com/2010/01/haiti-survivor-iphone/ ). While working in Haiti there was an earthquake where he was crushed and trapped, and he used his mobile device to treat life threatening wounds and provide care to his head injuries. With the help of the first aid app, he went from an amateur into an effective wound care specialist and ultimately survived his injuries. This app is available for IOS and Android, each for $1.99 US. Not sure you want to purchase the app? Take a look at this YouTube video that breaks down the various features and how to navigate the app https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0k9buLoZ2Tg                     Â

1. Red Cross First aid app is an excellent tool to download onto your mobile device (both American Red Cross and Canadian Red Cross). It includes the latest first aid and resuscitation guidelines, safety tips and prevention ranging from basic wound care, cardiopulmonary resuscitation on adults, children and babies, how to assist a person with seizures or a diabetic emergency. It features preloaded content which means you don’t need to constantly use your Wi-Fi in order to view the content. It is easy to navigate through the various sections and is fully integrated with 911 to ensure you’re one button away from help. If in Canada, you can change the language to either English or French (American app features English and Spanish). It provides information for every day emergencies, earthquakes, how to make an emergency kit for your family, staying safe during a flood or fire, landslide, power outage, hurricane, and pet preparedness. It’s an excellent free resource and available for both IOS and Android. You can also download the Red Cross Be Ready App which is another fantastic resource for emergency preparedness and disaster management.                                                                                                            Â

1. US Army First Aid Manual features a first aid manual with over 304 pages of content. It provides knowledge and skills for many life threatening situations with an emphasis on self-rescue, triage, and survival in wilderness or remote situations. It has easy to understand language with an emphasis on minimizing further injury to your patient and how to make decisive action when providing care. Content ranges from basic first aid information which includes deadly bleeding, breathing emergencies, fractures, environmental emergencies, as well as various rescue carry techniques, wilderness scenarios and providing care for snake bites, dangerous animals and poisonous plants. It is a great resource for those who spend time in the wilderness or remote areas where EMS may be more than an hour away. Rated 5 stars and is available for IOS and Android and comes with a price point of $16.99. Not sure about the purchase? Download a free sample and review the features before making your decision.                                                                                   Â

1. St.Johns Ambulance First Aid app includes the latest protocols, standards and advice when dealing with workplace or household emergencies. It is simple to use, easy to follow with illustrated guides and voice activated instructions. It has a 4.5 star review with over 500, 000 downloads worldwide. Like all the other apps, it features a comprehensive list of emergencies, ranging from asthma to bleeding, head injuries, CPR, seizures and strokes. The bottom of the app shows a list of Major Emergencies, Techniques, Minor Emergencies and St. John’s Info (other information featuring Calling for EMS services, First aid kits, Training, About St. John’s Ambulance and Donate. Once you select the emergency, it provides two drop down lists: recognition and care. It’s free and downloadable for both IOS and Android (note, my android is the latest version and there is a disclaimer that the app works better on older Android versions).                                                                                                                      Â

1. PulsePoint Respond is a unique app that empowers individuals within connected communities that are trained in First Aid and CPR to assist and provide life-saving care to those in cardiac arrest. Users need to download the app, register themselves as CPR trained, and are notified if someone nearby is having a cardiac emergency and needs CPR. This app also alerts off duty and lay rescuers who are registered the exact location of the cardiac emergency. It also provides the nearest public access defibrillator (AED). The upside is that you can become part of a community that is able to provide care, the downside is that it may not yet be featured in your community. I had heard of this app from a fire chief while in Thunder Bay, but wasn’t able to effectively use it in my region (Waterloo, ON). The more people that download and use the app, the more likely it will be a common feature within your community. It’s free and easy to download and create and account.                Â

While all of these CPR apps are informative, easy to use and provide amazing content and videos, it doesn’t replace the benefits of real time learning through a first aid CPR course in your area. To find a course in your area, visit www.redcross.ca and select find a course in your area to book your hands on training today.