A new made-in-B.C. resource called the Lifeguard App has been launched to protect users from drug overdose.
The App is activated by the user before they take their dose. After 50 seconds the App will sound an alarm.
If the user doesn’t hit a button to stop the alarm, indicating they are fine, the alarm grows louder.
After 75 seconds a text-to-voice call will go straight to 9-1-1, alerting emergency medical dispatchers of a potential overdose.
The App will be launched in regional health authorities in a phased approach between now and early June.
The Lifeguard App can be downloaded at both the App Store and Google Play.
The app is now being added to the list of essential health and social sector interventions to the sustained and widespread overdose activity in BC.
The app has been in the works for two years, and enables drug users to be active participants in their recovery, said Jeff Hardy, CEO and founder of Lifeguard Digital Health.
People who use drugs are encouraged to use with a friend and to use overdose prevention services and supervised consumption sites where they are available.
“This is a tool that specifically supports those who are most at risk of overdose death – people who use alone” said Susan Wannamaker, the executive vice President of Clinical Service Delivery.
“PHSA is working hard with all our harm reduction experts and partners in government and regional health authorities to identify and implement innovative solutions to reduce the heartbreaking loss of life caused by this ongoing crisis.”
Andrew says
Thanks for making this amazing application