Now, heart patients to get first-aid tips on their mobile phones

Sydney, June 30 : Now, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) techniques, an emergency medical procedure for a victim of cardiac arrest or, in some circumstances, respiratory arrest, will come handy, thanks to the Red Cross, which has launched a new animated download that enables the user to learn CPR on their mobile phones.

Jointly developed by Tasmanian company Multi-Ed Medical and mobile networking giant Ericsson, this technology is an animated program with an audio voiceover that gives a detailed overview of steps required for CPR.

This animation is available through any Australian mobile phone service, and can be viewed on any handset capable of displaying 176 x 144 pixel video content in the 3GPP file format.

While the Red Cross has cautioned that the content is no substitute for first aid training, chief executive, Robert Tickner said that it would "literally put the ability to save a life in the hands of all Australians with a mobile phone".

"While we know there is no substitute for an approved First Aid course, it will serve as a crucial prompt should the time arise when people are required to give CPR," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted him, as saying.

Also present at the launch was Sherrie McDonald, whose child Abby was saved by a neighbour skilled in First Aid.

"This technology means that you can have a reminder of how to perform CPR properly, in your hands, all the time. It's a fantastic piece of information for people to have on their mobiles," she said.

Available for 3 dollars, the CPR animation can be purchased directly from the Red Cross website or by texting 'CPR' to 19 951 515.

ANI