Local aid app alert system potentially lifesaver in emergency situations - Neighborhood Helpers: The Life-Saving Potential of the Alarming App
Emergency situations demand immediate action, and every second counts when it comes to saving lives. Firefighters in Essen, Germany, are learning to become mobile rescuers - ordinary citizens equipped with first aid skills, smartphones, and a desire to help when the unexpected happens.
As a part of the burgeoning network of first aiders, these individuals will soon be alerted simultaneously with the emergency services if they're in proximity to an emergency. Thus, they are bridging the gap between the immediate need for help and the arrival of professional emergency services.
The "Mobile Rescuers" app, which began as the first of its kind in Germany in 2013, now boasts over 22,500 participants spread across nearly 40 cities and districts in six federal states.
Time is of the Essence
A staggering 120,000 individuals in Germany experience sudden cardiac arrest outside a hospital each year. With only one in ten managing to survive, the need for a speedy response is crucial. According to the German Resuscitation Council, the brain begins to die after three minutes without oxygen. First aid apps, such as those already established in Scandinavia and the Netherlands, can significantly improve survival rates when swift help is key.
"We need to fill this gap," emphasizes Brand Inspector Jan Kuhlmann, who oversees Mobile Rescuer training in Essen, one of the first major cities to employ the principle of Mobile Rescuers. In rural areas and cities with dense traffic, quick help can often be challenging; hence, these systems become all the more valuable.
Qualified volunteers required
Not just anyone can become a mobile rescuer. The Essen control center ensures that participants have the necessary skills, as mere first aid knowledge from a driving license course isn't enough. The training focuses on practical procedures that enable responders to act effectively in emergencies.
Since its introduction in 2019, these over 1,000 helpers in Essen have been alerted approximately 1,900 times, with around 550 actual responses; they typically arrive at the scene of accidents within three and a half minutes - often before the emergency services.
An Idea Whose Time Has Come
Germany isn't the only country adopting first aid apps; several systems, such as "Regional Lifesavers" in Baden-Württemberg and "Corhelper" with thousands of registered first responders, can boost the chain of rescue. Schleswig-Holstein even boasts a statewide system for these apps.
While these systems strive for interoperability, they each have varying standards and lack technology-wide alert options. But all share a common goal: to save lives.
The digital gap
Experts at the Björn Steiger Foundation advocate for expanding these networks, emphasizing their potential to make a significant difference in saving lives. However, for a comprehensive effect, emergency physicians argue that the networks need to increase density and integrate with existing emergency response systems.
- Mobile First Aid
- Germany
- Sudden Cardiac Arrest
- Fire Service
- Apps
- Scandinavia
- Lifesaving
- Volunteer Service
A Look Under the Hood:First aider apps, such as "Mobile Rescuers," generally work by alerting both trained responders and nearby volunteers in emergency situations, thereby reducing the response time and ensuring a swift response. Key features of these apps include:
- Alert System: Immediate alerts to both emergency services and nearby volunteers enable efficient coordination.
- Location Sharing: GPS technology is used to share the location of the emergency to ensure quick arrival of responders.
- Training and Coordination: Many apps connect with local training programs to ensure that volunteers are adequately prepared to provide initial care.
Community policy should be established to support and regulate the use of vocational training programs for volunteers participating in lifesaving mobile apps like "Mobile Rescuers". These training programs should focus on providing first responders with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills in health-and-wellness, science, and technology, particularly for handling situations related to sudden cardiac arrest.
With the increasing integration of first aider apps into emergency response systems, it becomes crucial to invest in advanced technology and develop universal standards to facilitate technology-wide alerts and improve interoperability among various systems. Such advancements in vocational training and technology will play a significant role in bridging the digital gap and enhancing the overall efficiency of lifesaving mobile networks.
