New app aims to help save lives with CPR
TIGARD, Ore. – There's a new app to help save people who urgently need CPR.
Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue on Tuesday introduced the PulsePoint app. It alerts users who indicate that they’re CPR trained of incidents in public places where CPR is urgently needed.
After someone calls 9-1-1, the app uses location-based services to direct citizen rescuers to the exact location, and also displays where they can find the nearest automated external defibrillator (AED). If you can help, you can go help someone in distress to keep them alive until emergency responders arrive.
"So often it doesn't occur that way where we have bystanders on scene prior to arrival performing that life-saving skill that gives us, frankly a viable patient," said Tualatin Valley fire Chief Mike Duyck.
The app also allows users to look at TVF&R’s current emergency activity within the fire district. You can find active incidents and dispatched units on an interactive map. Users can choose to be alerted of certain incidents.
"We are honored to bring this lifesaving tool to this region," said Duyck. "TVF&R’s cardiac survival rates are some of the highest in the nation and this technology is another way in which we can – in partnership with our community – save even more lives."
The PulsePoint app is free to download from the iTunes and Android app stores. About 20 fire stations nationwide are currently using the app.
Businesses, schools, and other public sites with an AED are asked to email TVF&R at aed@tvfr.com to ensure that their AED is the TVF&R's PulsePoint database.
Ok I have to say this; I'm the guy who oversees the data that eventually gets sent to the application. Here is some issues with it. That primarily being don't rely on it to save a life. Be prepared to do CPR yourself.
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Here is a scenario;
Someone calls 911. The call-taker determines that CPR is needed. They begin a call for service in CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) system and begin CPR instructions for the caller. Now that data goes into the CAD server. At some point it is replicated to the master SQL server. Then that at some point after that, that is replicated to TVFR's server. Then at some point after that a script runs to send that call to the phone application. At some time after that, a cell phone provider will send a text or alert to a phone.
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This process is anywhere between 3 seconds and never. While everything on dispatch end is robust, redundant and backed up and fast, once you rely on a private network (like an application maker or cell provider) timing goes out the window. I send pages to cell phones that never get there. They leave my system, At&t, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint/Nextel, oh they get it, it just somehow gets lost between their server and the phone.
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This will likely happen with this application. And this assumes that the call-taker puts that CPR is administered somewhere in the call the application can even see. Very few CPR calls are called "CPR". Most are other calltypes that end up needing CPR instruction.
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Having a trained person with CPR knowledge and an understanding and access to an AED is excellent. But i would not rely on an application to provide that for me. I pay attention to exists, AED locations, fire alarms all kinds of things. I am CPR trained and know how to use an AED.
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I feel everyone should be at least that diligent. I know many can't, but those who can should. An application without anyone trained it no use anyway. So be prepared and you will never have to use your skill. Don't be prepared and you will always wish you had.
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I'm certified to save your life. Will certainly do so if the opportunity ''naturally'' presents itself. Not sure about being on call to, though. =(Â Hooray for those that can!
OK I guess if you can get  people's attention off the games they are playing on their phones.  I don't have a smart type phone and don't plan on getting one any time soon.  Maybe I will consider one when they sell for twenty bucks or so and I can get a decent plan for under a zillion bucks a month. Â
Hate do dump cold water on the party, but you run the risk of being held liable if you are not "properly trained". Oregon's has a Good Samaritan law, but it is primarily aimed at professional responders. Not saying don't try to help, just do so with your eyes open as to the risks.
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http://spot.pcc.edu/~lkidoguc/LGT/GoodSamLaw.pdf
 @al_02 Not quite. It protects professional responders to some degree, but if you are trained in the procedures you are performing, if you reasonably believe they are needed (not doing CPR on someone who's yelling "Get off me!"), and if you don't go outside the scope of your training (you're not allow to intubate the patient or perform a cricothyrotomy on a patient who has a blocked airway when you're not trained) then you are protected -- professional or layperson. Oh, and you can't abandon the patient after you start resuscitative efforts. You have to turn the patient over to someone who is either equally qualified or with higher qualifications.
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Many professional responders carry malpractice insurance; it was a strong recommendation when I went through my EMT/paramedic classes.
Nice app. Won't work for me since I am never in that area.
Wow so cool! I wish we had something like that in my area.
Great, Now were going to have a bunch of wannabe hero's running around wreckless trying to do CPR on people.
 @Juice Your idea obviously works better.
Bravo!Â