The British Red Cross has launched a voice-activated Amazon Echo app to help members of the public access step-by-step first aid advice from within their home.
The app can be installed as a ‘skill’ on Amazon’s Echo, and once downloaded is prompted with the command “Alexa, open first aid”. From here, users can ask for specific advice depending on their situation, for example what to do to help someone having a seizure or how to treat a severe burn.
Jon Mulligan, from the British Red Cross, said the new form of education was an important opportunity for the charity.
“The British Red Cross’ new skill for Amazon Echo will teach people simple first aid so that they feel well prepared to help someone in an emergency,” he said.
“The benefits of accessible education are well documented, and we hope that spoken instructions will make it even easier for people to learn these skills.
“This is a very exciting time for us, and highlights our ambition to embrace new digital technologies to reach and engage more people in first aid education. We’ll be developing this product all the time based on user feedback, and we’re looking forward to seeing it grow.”
According to research by the Red Cross, up to 59% of deaths that occur “pre-hospital” could be avoided if more people were able to step in and offer basic first aid.
The charity also has a free smartphone app which contains advice on 18 everyday first aid scenarios.
