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Apps for an emergency

You never know when disaster may strike - so here are some top apps that prove useful.
By Charlie Osborne, Contributing Writer
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Name: Disaster Alert

Developer: Pacific Disaster Center

Compatibility: iOS | Android

The disaster alert application provides a list and interactive map of natural disasters happening across the globe. 

You can view disaster updates via an aerial or road map. Each 'disaster' includes a hazard warning, time and date markers and updates every thirty minutes.

The marked disasters include hurricanes, drought, earthquakes, floods and tsunamis. 

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Name: Help I Crashed My Car

Developer: Help I Crashed My Car

Compatibility: Android

A free download for Android users, the app lets you pre-load emergency contact info, personal data, and vehicle information -- including make, model, and insurance.

The app also tracks your location via GPS, and offers you a checklist of what to do after an accident. The list is a tad long, but does include the information you need to get from other drivers involved in the system. 

For iPhone users, there is a similar alternative Car accident report.

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Name: American Red Cross Shelter view 

Developer: VisionLink

Compatibility: iOS 

Bringing the Red Cross up-to-date,  the free application offers an interactive map which pinpoints the location, capacity, current number of shelter residents, and the date and time of the last update for each Red Cross shelter.

The organisation say they update the map at least once a day. Disaster information can be accessed through the 'Disaster Newsroom', and shelter locations can be accessed by choosing an individual state.

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Name: AroundMe

Developer: Attorno A Me

Compatibility: iOS | Android

A free app, AroundMe lets you search the local area for a number of useful services -- including the nearest bank, gas station, hospital, hotel, supermarket, and taxi rank.

When you search for a service, you can pinpoint its location on a map, view a route from where you are (via GPS), add the information to a contact list or email it to a friend.

In addition, the 'Nearby' listing can be used to find information on a local service through Wikipedia. 

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Name: Emergency First Aid & Treatment Guide

Developer: Phoneflips

Compatibility: iOS | Android

Compatible on the iPhone, iPad and Android-based mobile devices, this £0.99 app offers a comprehensive guide to a number of basic medical treatment. 

A number of sections are dedicated to emergencies concerning children, choking, burns and crash scenes.

International medical numbers are included. 

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Name: smart-ICE (Lite)

Developer: EMS options

Compatibility: iOS 

The smart-ICE app is available in free and premium versions. A medical storage locker, the app can be used to store contacts and medical information.

If you have an accident, then it can 'talk' to Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel if you're unable to speak and need help. You can also pre-record a message for medical staff in case something happens.

In addition, the app can be used to set phone alarms to remind you to treat your condition.

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7 of 8 Charlie Osborne/ZDNET

Name: Kid Care

Developer: 3CN Self Care

Compatibility: iOS 

An app for parents, Kid Care offers a search function with symptoms and recommended courses of actions for a number of child ailments.

These include standard problems such as a fever, cough, vomiting, rash, sore throat or head injuries.

According to the company, the app is based on "the clinical protocols used by pediatricians and nurses in 10,000 practices and 400 nurse advice call centers in the US and Canada." Self-care advice, symptom charts and treatment guides are included. 

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Name: Pocket First Aid & CPR (American Heart Association)

Developer: Jive Media

Compatibility: iOS | Android

The American Heart Association's first aid and CPR guide is a clean and easily navigatable app.  It includes the organisation's official guidelines on what to do in an emergency, and over 30 videos to help you along.

The topics include adult, child, and infant CPR and choking situations. In addition, the app has a medical profile section where you can store your own information. 

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