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6 apps that could make a difference during an emergency
Have you ever been stuck in the middle of an actual emergency? Tap or click here for 18 must-have items that help you survive any crisis.
Not every calamity takes place at home. You never know when you’ll be facing something dire with only your smartphone in hand.
To help you in an emergency, our sponsor ExpressVPN created a list of essential apps. Keep reading for a list of invaluable safety apps for any unexpected disaster.
1. First Aid: American Red Cross
The First Aid app is like keeping a tiny doctor in your pocket to help guide you through everything from a choking victim to wound-dressing. Here are some tools that come with it:
- A huge directory of common emergency scenarios, all complete with everything you’ll need to know to resolve them.
- In-line “Call 911” buttons do the dialing for you.
- Quiz activities that let you polish up your knowledge before an emergency happens.
- Preparation guides and lists of what you’ll need.
- Tons of extra content to read, including safety tips and best practices.
It always pays to be prepared, and the emergency solutions here all come straight from one of the most reputable names in the game. This app is available for free on iOS and Android.
2. What3words
This app simplifies the act of triangulating any location in the world, all without long strings conveying the accurate latitude and longitude of the area in question. How is this useful? Testimonials on the site mention how emergency responders can use the app to locate a victim or incident quickly.
RELATED: Are you prepared? How to back up your emergency records
The entire map has been divided into squares three meters in height and length and works anywhere you go. You never know what’s going to happen out there. It’s a great safety net to have in your back pocket. What3words is available for free on iOS and Android.
3. Zello PTT Walkie Talkie
What does PTT stand for? Push-to-talk, just like your favorite pair of toy walkie-talkies from years past.
Those were good times, and now, you can download a virtual, offline walkie-talkie app that delivers the same thing. Because it can be used without a connection, you can use it to communicate with your group or family when exploring a remote location or a foreign city.
This app can support channels of up to 6,000 people simultaneously. The possibilities are endless, especially for one at the helm of disaster relief efforts, volunteer groups, or even just a large event or gathering. The Zello app is available for free on iOS and Android.
4. Snug Safety
If you have a loved one living as a senior resident or even a friend or family member living with a compromising medical condition on their own, this app has you covered.
Snug Safety allows you to check in on the most important people in your life. Over 1 million check-ins are currently on the brand’s books. The app automatically triggers an emergency plan if the person on the other end appears to be in danger.
Snug has a free plan where emergency contacts are alerted if someone doesn’t check in at their regular time. A premium plan is $99 per year or $9.99 per month. Snug Safety is available on iOS and Android.
5. Offline Survival Manual (Android only)
This app is an Android exclusive, and the military-style UI is for much more than just show.
- Information on everything from finding food to building a shelter out of nothing.
- Basic medical skills like addressing bites, stings, and other emergencies.
- Poisonous plant and dangerous animal identification.
- Sea-faring tips and protocol.
- Offline access to all of the above from anywhere in the world.
This app is probably the one that sounds the most fun on this list. It’s the perfect app for a real emergency, but it’s also one of the most comprehensive guides on nature survival for your next big camping trip with the crew.
6. Spyglass
Finally, one of the most straightforward emergency apps on this list. Spyglass is a compass that utilizes the power of AR to help you navigate any situation, no matter where you are in the world.
You can save a location, and it prevents you from running around in circles like many would without a tool like this. It works offline, no Wi-Fi or cellular connection is required.
The app is $3.99 to download on iOS and Android and offers in-app purchases.
If you’ve ever been stuck up a creek yourself, the value that these emergency apps offer will be more than obvious. We recommend downloading the free versions at the very least, as well as any of the other apps on ExpressVPN’s list.
Bonus: Incorporate a VPN
If you’re one of the many people who have multiple devices regularly accessing the internet, you probably know you need a secure connection to protect sensitive data. The best way to do this is with a virtual private network or VPN.
From traveling across the globe to just going down the street to your favorite coffee shop, your private data is secured and protected with ExpressVPN.
Get the only VPN service that Kim uses on all your digital devices today: ExpressVPN. Get three months free when you sign up for one year at ExpressVPN.com/Kim.
You may also like: How to use Skype to make an emergency phone call
Tags: American Red Cross, Android, crisis, emergency, guides, safety apps, virtual private network
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