Heart attack? There's an app for that

First-aiders get emergency help from their iPhones

First aid charity St Johns Ambulance has launched an iPhone app which provides advice on treating major and minor injuries among adults and infants.

The app is structured and paced in such a way as it can be used under pressure, claims the charity.

The launch is part of St Johns Ambulance campaign to raise awareness of the lack of first aid skills among the general public. Up to 150,000 people a year die for want of basic first aid while waiting for an ambulance, according to the charity.

A recent ICM survey commissioned by the charity revealed 59 per cent of the population wouldnt feel confident trying to save a life; 24 per cent would do nothing and wait for an ambulance to arrive or hope that a passer-by knows first aid; 39 per cent said they would try and do first aid even though they are not sure what to do. And although 28 per cent said theyd know what first aid to do, when questioned more closely their answers showed they would administer the wrong treatment.

The campaign and the app centre on treating five common emergencies: choking, heart attack, severe bleeding, unconscious but breathing and unconscious and not breathing.

The app has already proved popular in beta having achieved 2,200 downloads in the UK since February without any promotional activity. The charity expects downloads to increase dramatically now the awareness campaign has kicked off.

The app is available on the Apple iStore for £2.39.