P.A.N.I.C could save a life

Staff from Somerset County Council’s Highways department will be issued with a new mobile phone ‘app’ to help explain what to do if they come across a Road Traffic Collision. The PANIC app is designed to help in the first few moments of being involved in a car crash.

Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service have developed the ‘P.A.N.I.C’ app that can be downloaded FREE of charge to iPhones and most android phones. It is endorsed by all the blue light services and Road Safety Partnerships across Somerset and Devon, providing clear information on what to do in the event of coming across or being involved in an emergency.

P.A.N.I.C stands for:

P – Protect yourself
A – Assess the scene
N – Number of casualties
I - Injuries
C - Call for help

It can also generate an accurate grid reference which can be relayed to 999 operators so they can locate the incident without delay - really important if you are traveling on a stretch of road that is unfamiliar.

Somerset County Council Highways have installed the app on all its mobile devices for staff that are regularly out on the road, everyone from highways inspectors to gritter drivers.

Chris Jones, Road Safety Manager for Somerset Command in Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service said: “This free app is available to anyone to use. It is particularly useful knowing Somerset County Council Highways have adopted it because they are on the roads on a regular basis. Not only does it provide useful tips and advice about keeping safe at the scene of a road traffic collision, but it provides first aid techniques in short video format. This could mean the difference between life and death”.

The app also has features such as ICE (In Case of Emergency) which holds contact details for the next of kin should the user themselves happen to be involved in a collision.

Other useful features on the app include reminders for servicing vehicles and tyre pressures etc.

The app can be downloaded completely FREE by searching PANIC ICE in your phones app store or by visiting www.learn-2-live.org.uk/panic