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!
© 2010, thesurvivalmom. All rights reserved.
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Glad to see this! I just bought my wife an iphone today, I've had one for a year. I use the EMCChecklist, First Aid and smartICE (in case of emergency) applications. Too many survivalists ignore technology. With iphones at $99 now, they are affordable and even for preppers…"there's an app for that."
There's also an app that allows you to listen in on police and other first responder scanners. That might come in handy if you were evacuating before a hurricane or a similar situation in which you needed to be kept up to date on traffic reports and road conditions.
I have to admit…I reluctantly inherited my hubby's first iPhone. When the new one came out he wanted me to have the original. I kept insisting I didn't need his hand-me-down phone. I already had a phone I was used to, and it worked just fine, thank you very much. His reply was terse…and to the point. "It's…NOT…just…a…PHONE." Ok, yes, I get it now. It's SO much more than a phone, and now I truly appreciate its functionality. I told him it's alright to say "I told you so" but he wouldn't do it…gentleman that he is. But a knowing smirk is not beneath him…….and I DO LOVE my iPhone.
ps, I also found apps that easily convert measurements and units, a neat compass too. Handy!
I just went in and they have "smart-ice4family" that lets you keep track of info for up to 5 people. While there's a good chance mom's know all that info so solidly they could recite it when woken up from REM sleep, even before they can clearly see the room and know what's going on, that still looks like a cool app. And definitely one my dh could use. I'm pretty sure he knows which kid has asthma, but beyond that….
That sounds like a very good idea in case it's Mom who is incapacitated or so panicked she can't think straight.
I would check out the first aid iPhone apps from RediVideos. They have full video demonstrations showing you what to do in these kind of situations such as how to perform CPR and resuscitate someone. They are available for Blackberry as well.
Thanks for the info, Mike!
Another good app is smartICE. There you can put in your medical history, contacts, medication and other stuff.
Nice Apps! Just got 'em
Katzien did a great job reviewing those apps and explaining them to those of us who are iPhone deprived!
^_^. Just yesterday I finally decided to get an iPhone myself (I'm the only person in my family who doesn't have one yet!)– I pick it up Saturday. I broke down because I hate phones but, as katzien's hubby said "It's not just a phone." Mom gets the daily bible readings on hers, and dad uses GPS all the time.
Myself, I was simply intrigued by the ability to have all those– plus the apps recommended (which I will definately get!). Of course, I try to have as much as possible in hard copy for grid-down, EMP situations, but if I'm having to go from place to place, or get stuck somewhere sans BoB, having all those resources in my purse would be handy.
. . . and being able to access Facebook on the Metro had nothing to do with it, I swear! . . .
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