New smart phone app empowers, teaches skills in emergencies

LAUREL, MS (WDAM) - Have you ever been faced with an emergency and wanted to help but didn't know how; you didn't have CPR training or weren't sure what to do with a broken bone?

The American Red Cross is hoping to empower would-be bystanders via a new smart phone application that will show users how to help in an emergency. Whether it's choking, hypothermia a heart attack or a stroke, the app will offer steps and even a video instructing you on what you can do that could help save a life.

"In an emergency, every second counts," said American Red Cross Division 3 Manager Bill Powe. "So the first thing you want to do in an emergency it's better to call 911 and not need them than not to have called them at all and now you're in a situation where you need them. So always call 911 first, but if you have your app, it's quick and easy, you can push the button and it takes you right to this application or you can learn or you can go to the prepare button. But in this case, you're in a choking emergency you look for choking and an emergency comes up, there's a video, it shows you how to give five back blows, five abdominal thrusts, which will help save a life."

The app is free and available for iPhone and Android users. Find the app in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store for Android by searching for American Red Cross.