iPhone Apps Can Save Your Life

by Katzien

Like many of you, I watched the news and read stories about the Haitian earthquake for days.  It was heartbreaking.  One story really captivated the new “lite-survivalist” in me.  Remember Dan Wooley, the man who survived in a collapsed hotel elevator shaft for 65 hours?  He was trapped, injured and alone for nearly three days.  He credits his survival to his iPhone, a small technological miracle. 

Dan used a First Aid app to treat his own injuries, stop the bleeding and make a tourniquet.  He also read that he should not fall asleep and should keep his mind busy.  He set his phone alarm to sound off every twenty minutes and began writing to his family in a notepad.  Dan truly did not know whether he would survive, but he did the best he could with what he had available. 

image by Gonzalo Baeza Hernandez

I was amazed, and since I too have an iPhone, I immediately went in search of survival apps.  I first downloaded the free app called Web MD.  It has a wealth of information on medical treatment for dozens of situations, a symptom diagnosis, and how to identify and use medications.  This is educational information but assumes you have access to doctors, medical supplies and facilities. 

When all you have is yourself and your wits, as in Dan’s case, more basic how-to information is required.  I found two iPhone apps that made me absolutely giddy.  The “U.S. Army Survival Guide” and “U.S. Army First Aid Manual,” both by Double Dog Studios, are packed full of detailed, illustrated, step-by-step, I-didn’t-know-you-could-do-that, sign-me-up-for-survival-school information. 

The survival guide has twenty-three chapters and eight appendices, and I still have yet to read it all.  Wouldn’t you like to know how to forecast the weather by the clouds, how to use medicinal plants, how to find your direction without a compass, how to signal with emergency code, how to camouflage your travel, how to survive in the heat of the desert or the cold of mountains or in water at sea??  What if you had to hunt your own food?  There are multiple methods of tool making, stalking and firecraft…all with pictures and 1-2-3’s.  As if Survival Mom doesn’t have enough information on what preparedness supplies you need, there is a whole chapter on stocking your backpack or flak jacket survival kit.  The chapters are well organized and the pages are easy to navigate. 

Likewise, the First Aid manual is exhaustive.  Not only does it give important step-by-critical-step instructions, it also explains what NOT to do a situation and why.  Sometimes we forget that First Aid can be harmful if done incorrectly.  In addition to First Aid and trauma aid for every part of the body, it also has a chapter on understanding vital body functions and what happens if they are damaged or not functioning. Some medical crises can be internal and will not involve blood or open wounds.  I’m still reading through the chapters, but I relish each page with the veracity of a freshman in medical school.

There are hundreds of iPhone apps to choose from, but I can’t think of anyone more qualified than the Army to give survival and medical instruction.   Each app is $1.99, but that’s a steal-of-a-deal for not having to actually enlist in the Army.  Wouldn’t you agree?

For minor, or even major emergencies, and without being re-charged, the iPhone can store an enormous amount of data and help you through an extreme situation for two or three days.  And because I am literally never without it, my iPhone has now become an important supplement to my Grab-n-Go Binder.  If you know a great app for survival, let us all know! 

Katzien is an active prepper and a frequent commenter on this blog.  When she speaks, we all listen!

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