On the Frontlines: The Life-Saving Power of Smartphone-Driven First Aid Networks
Neighborhood Rescue - Way App Warns and Saves Life - Neighborhood Aid: The Life-Saving Potential of the App-Alarm System
Let's face it, every second matters when it comes to saving lives in sudden cardiac arrest situations. Firefighters at the Essen fire station are well aware of this, as they undergo training to become first-line responders equipped with life-saving knowledge, smartphones, and a dash of luck.
They're the so-called Mobile Rescue teams, a network that's rapidly expanding. When emergency response is called near their location, they'll join the first responders, thanks to the technology-driven future we're stepping into. But, experts suggest, this tech-savvy network needs to grow thicker to make a real impact everywhere.
Mobile Rescuers has been operational since 2013, pioneering this kind of first-aider alert system in Germany. Now boasting 22,500 participants across nearly 40 cities and districts in 6 states, this app aims to revolutionize emergency response.
The clock's ticking: time versus life and death
The math's simple: Over 120,000 cardiac arrests happen annually across Germany outside of hospitals. Only one in ten survive, and that's often due to the nine-minute average response time of emergency services. First-aider apps, already widespread in Scandinavia and the Netherlands, can put a dent in that statistic.
"After three minutes, the brain starts to die," explains Brand Inspector Jan Kuhlmann, responsible for Mobile Rescuer training at the Essen fire department. Kuhlmann is one of the first to recognize the app's potential in major cities, where long distances and dense traffic can delay help-arrival times, making the system all the more vital.
Laypeople with a mission
In Essen, emergency services, firefighters, medics, and healthcare professional comprise the experienced first-aider pool. "A first-aid course for a driver’s license isn't enough," says Kuhlmann. "The control center the team must be certain about the individual's capabilities."
In Essen, equipped with over 1,000 volunteers, the Mobile Rescuer app has been operational since 2019. In that time, it's been activated around 1,900 times, with around 550 actual responses, and an average response time of 3.5 minutes—better than most emergency services.
The genesis of the app
The idea for the app originated from East Westphalian emergency physician Ralf Stroop, who saw a nearby ambulance's flashing lights and realized he could've provided help if only he'd known of the emergency in time.
A patchwork of solutions
Multiple first-aider app variants have emerged since, each with their own approach. The "Region of Lifesavers" is popular in Baden-Württemberg, while "Corhelper" integrates thousands of first-aid responders into emergency rescue chains. Schleswig-Holstein has launched its statewide solution.
"It's a mix and match so far, with different standards and no cross-technology alert options," says Stefan Prasse, CEO of Mobile Rescuer. "But we all share the goal of saving lives," he emphasizes.
Legal framework for broader implementation
Technology alone isn't enough, says emergency medicine experts. "Active volunteer management is crucial to keep participants active," says Prasse. Engaging efforts, such as collaborating with other providers, networking via social media, and sharing success stories, help ensure app retention.
Emergency physicians support these rescue-approach endeavors and advocate for comprehensive legislation to govern their use. "These apps are the most effective way to improve survival rates in cardiac arrest situations," says Clemens Kill, director of Essen's Center for Emergency Medicine and chairman of the German Society for Rescue Services and Prehospital Emergency Medicine (DGRN).
He insists on a 'blue light' family collaboration in first-aider systems, extending beyond traditional rescue services. "Integrating police officers and firefighters in CPR is essential," demands Kill. In an ideal world, the state wouldn't leave first-aider app deployment merely to the initiative of individuals, but instead incorporate it into the legal foundations of emergency services.
- To further expand the impact of technology-driven Mobile Rescuer networks, vocational training programs could be implemented to ensure that more individuals in the community are equipped with life-saving knowledge, similar to the science-based training firefighters receive.
- In addition to physical health, it is crucial for the health-and-wellness sector to incorporate vocational training in first aid, especially using as a model the successful Smartphone-driven First Aid Networks, to empower more people to respond promptly and effectively in emergency situations, potentially saving lives.
