A WAUCHOPE-developed mobile phone app could save your life next time you’re in an accident or in an emergency situation.
Nicole Graham is the founder of Wauchope enterprise Emergency ID and had just launched an app for iPhones and Android devices that displays critical medical and contact details on a phone’s locked screen.
The app complements Emergency IDs range of medical ID bracelets, necklaces, key rings, lanyards, wallet cards, stickers and wrist bands.
A former police officer, Mrs Graham said she had seen first-hand the need for vital patient information to be immediately accessible in emergency situations.
She took the challenge on when, at 34, she required open heart surgery.
“As part of Emergency ID Awareness Month, we’ve embarked on a national training initiative to encourage medical personnel to take a few seconds to check if their patients have critical details on them that could greatly improve their ability to provide care,” Mrs Graham said.
“Emergency ID products have undergone major advancements over recent years, with necklaces and bracelets featuring unique identification numbers providing access to on-the-spot health records and personal details via a 24-hour phone service.
“People are also using their phones as potentially lifesaving devices, with applications like the recently launched Emergency ID App allowing them to display their urgent medical information such as medications, allergies and next-of-kin contact details on the phone’s locked screen.”
Tamara Donoghue, who suffered an epileptic seizure on a flight from the United States, said she was lucky she was wearing her Emergency ID and that it was discovered in time.
“I had just got up to move around the cabin and the next thing I knew the flight crew were giving me first-aid,” Ms Donoghue said.
“They weren’t sure what was wrong with me, but one of them noticed my Emergency ID bracelet, which was engraved with my details. They put me on oxygen and had an ambulance meet the plane at the airport to provide further treatment.”
