Health: Different Kind Of First Aid Kit Is Now Available At Your Fingertips
By Stephanie Stahl
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Run into a medical problem and don't know what to do? Now, a special first aid kit is available at your fingertips.
More than 42 million Americans go the emergency room every year with an injury. Trying to handle a medical problem before help arrives can be challenging, but the American Red Cross is trying to make it easier.
Six-year-old Lara Wulick loves climbing around on the playground. Her brother Jake likes hanging out, too.
"I will say they are very active and pretty adventurous, but it seems that they know their limits, so they don't get banged up all that often, luckily for me," said Anna Wulick, their mother.
But if they did, help is now available. The American Red Cross is launching a new first aid app to provide simple, lifesaving safety information on a variety of health issues.
"We want good, accessible information available to people quickly, and that's why we're doing this," said Renee Cardwell Hughes, CEO of the Southeastern Pennsylvania American Red Cross. She says the app gives step-by-step instructions on how to handle the most common first aid situations, like allergies, asthma attacks, broken bones and choking. It includes videos and interactive quizzes.
"I think it's great. It's really great," said Sandra Collett, of Philadelphia.
The Red Cross says the information is provided by doctors and nurses, and if there's a serious problem, like cardiac arrest, the app can call 911 directly for you with a simple touch.
"What we want you to do is call 911, but there may be things that you can do that are appropriate and safe to help your loved one, and the app will help you with that," said Hughes.
New dad Tyler Wynn thinks it could be helpful.
"I think it's great to have just in case any emergency pops up that you can't handle," said Tyler.
The app is available for Android and iPhone at no cost and also includes disaster preparedness information. However, the Red Cross says the app is not a substitute for training.
To download the Red Cross first aid app, click here.
For information on the Red Cross' first aid classes, click here.
