New mobile app by Singapore Red Cross to teach first aid

SINGAPORE - A new mobile application launched by the Singapore Red Cross on Sunday aims to put first aid skills at people's fingertips - literally.

Get the full story from The Straits Times.

Here's the statement from SRC:

The Singapore Red Cross (SRC) today launched 'First Aid by Singapore Red Cross' the nation's first multilingual first aid mobile app, at a community outreach graced by GuestofHonour, Mr Masagos Zulkifli Bin Masagos Mohamad, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Member of Parliament, Tampines GRC.

About 100 participants including the elderly and caregivers benefitted from a series of free health and wellness talks presented by SRC and Eastern Health Alliance, at the public event organised by the SRC and supported by the Tampines West Active Ageing Committee (AAC). The talks focused on injury prevention and safe home for elders, prevention and early detection of chronic diseases, and caregiving for dementia patients.

"I am glad that the Singapore Red Cross (SRC) is working actively with the community to build resilience, especially for and amongst the elderly. Facing an ageing population, it is important for us to work together in empowering caregivers, elderly and the community at large with the skills to build a healthy, vigorous and resilient society. I also applaud SRC for making first aid even more accessible with the launch of the mobile app," said Mr Masagos.

First Aid by Singapore Red Cross is a free app that features simple, easy advice on 20 everyday first aid scenarios, in four languages English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil. The app features videos, interactive quizzes and simple stepbystep advice, and is available on both Android and iOS.

"We remain steadfast in achieving our goal of having a first aider in every home. Not only have we introduced a range of customised first aid courses to cater to specific groups, we have also launched a First Aid app that targets the technologically savvy. With this app, people can now easily access critical advice when faced with a medical emergency," said Mr Tee Tua Ba, Chairman of SRC.

As part of SRC's strategic partnership with 3M Nexcare™ all participants of the event received free first aid booklets comprising basic first aid tips and simple steps to treat common injuries. These booklets also contained a complimentary pack of bandages from 3M Nexcare™. Jointly produced by 3M and SRC, the first aid booklets feature beautiful illustrations and comprehensive tips, making first aid fun and easy for all ages.

Ms Renee Chua, General Manager of 3M Consumer Business Group, said, "At Nexcare, we believe that every wound is serious and deserves the best care. We carry a wide range of first aid tapes ranging from bandages to dressings made with hospital proven technology to promote healing, and offer comfort for effective wound management. Our first aid tapes are widely used by hospitals worldwide for over 60 years. Today, we are proud to extend Nexcare's reach to the local community through a meaningful partnership with Red Cross to develop 5,000 first aid booklets to equip homeowners with basic first aid knowledge and wound care supplies."

"The success of today's outreach is testament to the strong collaboration between SRC and its partners in the public and private sectors. Such partnerships are important as they widen our outreach and help reiterate the importance of learning first aid. We will continue working closely with grassroot organisations, voluntary welfare organisations, relevant government agencies and the private sector in fostering community resilience and reducing vulnerabilities," added Mr Tee.