Gilbert Centre behind new app aiming to save lives
The Gilbert Centre in Barrie is releasing a new tool that could mean the difference between life and death.
The social and support services agency has partnered with Get Ready Online, a professional services, consulting and technology firm in Canada, to operate an app called Ready First Aide. To provide critical information when it is most needed, the app has step-by-step instructions and short videos outlining precisely what to do in various emergencies.
"Our intention is to really improve our community capacity, reduce stigma and improve the knowledge that folks have and their ability to respond in emergency situations," said Dale Boyle, the Gilbert Centre's executive director.
"Particularly what is important to the Gilbert Centre is how to respond to overdoses, and so that's why, using this tool built by Get Ready Online, we'll be able to equip our community with the knowledge that they need to be able to confidently respond to overdoses in our region."
In addition to proper response to an overdose, other emergencies covered in the app include medical, suicide and emergency procedures.
According to Get Ready Online, studies have shown that many people who undergo first aid training need to remember 50 per cent of what they learned within two months.
"Let's get the emergency and medical information into the public's hands," said Scot Ashley, the president and CEO of Get Ready Online.
"What we need to do is convert the public into willing bystanders."
The app costs $6. Half of that will go to the Gilbert Centre, which will use the money to help it complete its community mission of providing support to those most in need.
"If we can get businesses in the community to get behind this, it's going to be a great fundraiser for the Gilbert Centre, but it's also going to hopefully turn a lot of the parents and employees and staff and your neighbours and colleagues into willing bystanders, and they'll have the tool, and they can respond with confidence," said Ashley.
The app is available in both browser and mobile versions.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada outlines national action plan to fight auto theft
The federal government is launching what it calls its 'national action plan' to combat auto thefts, which will include stronger penalties for thieves, and increased information sharing between police agencies, government officials and border enforcement.
U.S. Supreme Court rejects appeal from former Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal by a Canadian-born former Guantanamo detainee who was seeking to wipe away his war crimes convictions, including for killing a U.S. soldier in Afghanistan.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
Iran's president and foreign minister die in helicopter crash at moment of high tensions in Mideast
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the country's foreign minister were found dead Monday hours after their helicopter crashed in fog, leaving the Islamic Republic without two key leaders as extraordinary tensions grip the wider Middle East.
Michael Cohen says he stole from Trump's company as defence presses key hush money trial witness
Former Donald Trump attorney Michael Cohen admitted Monday to jurors in the Republican's hush money trial that he stole tens of thousands of dollars from Trump's company as defence lawyers seized on the star witness' misdeeds to attack his credibility.
The world's best airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months' salary
Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.
Woman, 35, in critical condition after her truck collided with a Via Rail train near Montreal
A 35-year-old woman is in critical condition after the pick-up truck she was driving was struck by a Via Rail passenger train Monday morning in Quebec's Monteregie region.
Investors watching posts from 'Crypto King' in the wake of fraud, money laundering charges
Former investors of the self-styled “Crypto King” say they are watching his social media accounts and worried his displays of wealth are signs he’s spending their money, even now, as another large expense tied to Aiden Pleterski has triggered a previously unreported lawsuit.
Almost 2 months after it destroyed Baltimore's Key Bridge, the Dali cargo ship has been moved
The cargo ship Dali is being moved from the site of its catastrophic collision with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in a crucial step toward fully reopening the busy Port of Baltimore.