Smartphone app could make everyday citizens, everyday heroes

WICOMICO COUNTY, Md. – Wicomico County is rolling out a new smartphone app that could make everyday citizens, everyday heroes.

“Every minute that a person goes without CPR, they’re not breathing, is a 10% chance that they won’t make it,” explains Salisbury EMS Capt. Christopher Truitt.

That’s why Wicomico County has launched the Pulse Point app, a smartphone app that could give those experiencing cardiac arrest a better chance of survival.

“This app will help us get the notification to anyone, anybody that’s out there that knows CPR they can go and start helping that person in need,” explains Parsonsburg Fire Chief Eric Tyler.

On average, it takes emergency crews about four to six minutes to get to a person in need. So when someone’s heart stops beating, that leaves only a 40 to 60 percent chance of surviving.

But with this app, emergency crews are hoping just the average person nearby can help boost those odds.

“Since fire and EMS crews cannot be everywhere all the time we rely on citizens to maybe start this process,” adds Tyler.

Giving people a fighting chance until EMS crews arrive and take over. And the good news for Wicomico County residents, it’s easy and free to download and start using.

Tyler explains, “Go to your App Store or your Play Store depending on which device you are using and search for Pulse Point download the app and what that does as it gives early alerts to citizens in the area where CPR is needed.”

A program that’s giving locals a chance to save someone’s mother, father, sibling or loved one.

“That’s what this app is all about it’s about saving lives. If it saves one life it has definitely paid off.”

Plus, anybody can download the app even if you’re not CPR certified because the app will actually walk you through what to do in an emergency and how to perform CPR.