Your phone can save contacts and files, but did you also know that there are apps that can literally save your life? In the event or aftermath of an emergency, it may be difficult to reach out and get help by traditional means.
In such cases, that little nifty app store you carry about in your phone can be a savior. In this article, you will learn about ten apps that can save your life in different challenging situations.
Many of the apps on this list are vetted by and listed in the UK's NHS Apps Library. They are backed by professionals, contain medically accurate information, and the best part, they're completely free to use.
Now let's dive in.
1. Baby and Child First Aid
Baby and Child First Aid is an app focused on providing life-saving first aid treatment to babies and little children. It is offered by the British Red Cross and currently has over 100,000 downloads.
You can use the app to provide basic first aid to your baby or child in the event or aftermath of an emergency. It features helpful videos, easy-to-follow advice, and a section that tests your knowledge of the things you've learned.
It also features an important toolkit that allows you to record your child's medication needs and any allergies they have. This can be a life-saver when administering drugs or other secondary treatment, best of all—you can use it offline.
Download: Baby and Child First Aid for Android | iOS (Free)
2. Becca - Breast Cancer Support
If you, a friend, or a loved one has breast cancer, the Becca Breast Cancer Support app can help to provide some much-needed succor. It is a thorough pocket guide that supports you on your journey to recovery.
Most people who learn for the first time that they have breast cancer are often left confused with lots of questions. This app can help to answer many of the questions that race through your mind during this period.
It features custom daily suggestions, flashcards, hints, tips, real-life stories from other breast cancer survivors to inspire you to live your best life, categories on side-effects, body image, and much more. It also offers you access to breast care nurses. The app is offered by the UK charity Breast Cancer Now.
Download: Becca - Breast Cancer Support for Android | iOS (Free)
3. GDm-Health
The GDm-Health app is the go-to tool for pregnant women with pre-existing diabetes or those at risk of gestational diabetes. GDM stands for gestational diabetes mellitus. The app currently has over one million downloads.
Offered by Sensyne Health, the GDm-Health app is resource-rich and can help you effectively manage your diabetes during pregnancy. It features a patient app and a web-app dashboard for clinicians.
It allows you to log your blood glucose (BG) readings so that your clinicians can monitor it in real-time. This is viewable as a graph or diary. You can also request callbacks from your midwife or care team. The app educates you about GDM, food and diet, weight management, activity, and fitness during pregnancy.
Download: GDm-Health for Android | iOS (Free)
4. Integrated Family Delivered Neonatal Care (IFDC)
If you are a parent who has just had a premature birth, IFDC allows you to play an active role in your newborn's treatment in an intensive care unit (ICU).
The IFDC app is being offered by Imperial College Healthcare Trust under its Integrated Family Delivered Care project. It currently has over half a million downloads but is not available in some countries.
The app gives you vital information about your baby's development timeline including birth period, weight, length, skin, brain and sensory development, etc. It also allows you to record skin-to-skin cuddles, feeding, and expressing rates, among others.
Download: IFDC for Android | iOS (Free)
5. ICE Medical Standard
During an emergency, every second counts. The ICE Medical Standard app for iOS takes this into account. The app allows you to store your emergency medical contact information on your phone's lock screen.
In the event of an accident or other emergencies, first responders, ER personnel, EMS, or FEMA can access your emergency medical contact information by turning on your phone, even if you can't move or speak.
This app can save your life in the event of an emergency that results in shock, immobility, or loss of consciousness, as it does not require your lock screen password to access your medical information. You should also keep your physical ICE Medical Standard ID Card handy in case your phone gets lost or damaged in an emergency.
Download: ICE Medical Standard for iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)
6. Medical ID
Similar to ICE Medical Standard app, Medical ID is an Android alternative that allows you to create a comprehensive medical profile that can be accessed from your phone's lock screen in the event of an emergency.
The Medical ID app offered by Laurent Pellegrino is available in freemium and premium versions—the latter has more features that allow you do more with the app.
Using the free version, you can store data about your allergies, blood type, medical contacts, and other critical medical information that can be helpful in the event of an emergency. If you use an iPhone, you can set up your Medical ID in the Apple Health app.
Download: Medical ID for Android (Free) | Medical ID Pro for Android ($5.99)
7. Zello PTT Walkie Talkie
Not all emergencies are medical, earthquakes and other natural disasters are just as deadly. Zello Walkie Talkie is a free push-to-talk (PTT) radio app that works like a walkie-talkie that allows you to stay connected even if some communication towers are down. It currently has over 50 million downloads.
Zello works well over 2G, 3G, and 4G, and allows you to maintain communication with friends, family, loved ones, or rescuers via audio during natural disasters like earthquakes.
Zello features live location tracking, push notifications, call alert, voice history, bluetooth headset support (on selected phones), chat support for up to 6,000 users, high-quality voice chat, and real-time streaming.
Download: Zello PTT Walkie Talkie for Android | iOS (Free)
8. mySugr
mySugr is a popular diabetes app and blood sugar tracker ranked as the 7th top-grossing medical app with over a million downloads, and a 4.6-star rating based on 54,000 reviews.
mySugr allows you to sync your blood glucose device and automatically log data on your meals, blood sugar levels, insulin, medications, fitness activities, among others.
You can connect your mySugr app with AppleHealth and GoogleFit to gain more insights into your overall health. You can also transfer data automatically from the Accu-Chek mobile meter via a bluetooth adapter.
Download: mySugr for Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)
9. Army Survival Handbook
The Army Survival Handbook App is an offline manual and survival guide based on the Army Survival Manual. It packs useful information that can be handy for doomsday preppers or just for camping and outdoor survival.
The app is structured into chapters each covering critical survival information that can help you to survive in extreme conditions whether in the forest, jungle, or desert. It will teach you how to build situational awareness in dangerous situations, among others.
There's so much more that you can learn from this app which is summarized by the following mnemonic:
S - size up the situation
U - use all your senses
R - remember where you are
V - vanquish fear and panic
I - improvise
V - value living
A - act like the natives
L - live by your wits, but for now, learn basic skills.
You should definitely download this app whether you're going camping soon, embarking on some outdoor adventure, or prepping yourself for the unknown.
The app is available on Android. If you're using an iPhone, you can download the similar Army Survival Skills app instead.
Download: Army Survival Handbook for Android (Free) | Army Survival Handbook Paid for Android ($1.49)
Download: Army Survival Skills for iOS ($1.99)
10. distrACT
Being able to manage your mental health is crucial to your overall well-being.
distrACT is a mental health app focused on helping you to live your best life, far from the clutches of depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts with medically accurate information and advice.
If you're in the UK it helps you access national helplines like CASS Self Injury Helpline, and Samaritan's, which offer non-judgmental and confidential emotional support. But there's plenty for non-UK users, too. Its Chill Zone contains uplifting music, films, art, books, poems, and quotes, to help you feel better about yourself.
Download: distrACT for Android | iOS (Free)
Your Life Is Worth Saving
These apps can save your life in different emergencies. Figure out which ones you may need and start getting acquainted.
Although some of these apps may contain ads, there's no denying the fact that they can add value to your life—one can even save your life! So, go ahead and save, download, or install these life-saving apps.
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