Abstract 251: iRescU---Saving Lives and Data: A New Multiplatform App to Integrate Social Media and Bridge Logistic Challenges in the Chain of Survival

Introduction: Of 300,000 USA out-of-hospital cardiac arrests <10% survive, and an AED used in <2%, yet in ~4/5 there is a shockable rhythm. Studies demonstrate bystanders are often uncomfortable to perform CPR, locate or use an AED, and often ineffective in cardiac emergencies. Objective: To develop a freely available CPR/AED smartphone app designed for lay use with gratis community dissemination. Methodology: A multidisciplinary team designed app, optimizing features available in smartphones, utilizing cutting edge cloud based and crowd source technologies to be an easy access tool for the lay person for training, and when faced with life threatening cardiac emergency, as well as providing enhanced AED location access and two way valuable datasets to Emergency Services and public health researchers. Results: The iRescU CPR App is <1mb, designed for deployment to multiple mobile platforms, functioning as both a data terminal and a data resource, with modes addressing; CPR/AED/EMS support in an emergency setting, CPR/AED training mode and AED geolocation. The design is simple high contrast screens, clear text information (international language capability), adherence to AHA and/or ERC guidelines with no medical jargon, use of visual, auditory, and haptic feedback to enhance CPR performance, and uses standard GPRS/GPS technology to access a live expanding AED database to provide relevant real time AED location information, with scope to interact with emergency services and resources. iRescU can operate without connectivity, and is capable of saving data, and uploading when connectivity is restored. Initial evaluation completed, operational field evaluation is underway with five pilot sites for initial AED geolocation capture. A creative dissemination plan involves both health care and non-healthcare strategies Conclusions: The effectiveness of the lay public's key role in initiating effective CPR, locating and using an AED is a major challenge to achieving improved cardiac arrest outcomes. Current methods for reliably locating the nearest AED are limited. This App bridges existing logistics gaps in the chain of survival providing a freely available tool for the lay public to enhance their effectiveness in improving cardiac arrest outcomes.