New life-saving first aid app brings emergency help to rural families

A ground-breaking new first aid app is set to transform emergency response for rural and remote families, equipping parents and carers with critical life saving knowledge, even without mobile reception.

The All Hands Lifesaver app, launched this week by charity The Sisterhood Project, is free to download and works offline. It provides step-by-step guidance for common emergencies including choking, burns, CPR, bleeding and head injuries. 

With around 75 percent of Australia lacking reliable mobile coverage, the All Hands Lifesaver app aims to close the emergency support gap for rural and regional families.

Co-founder and paediatric intensive care nurse Grace Larson says the app was inspired by her experience as a frontline healthcare worker and as a rural mother raising young children on a farm.

“I grew up on a remote property and now raise my own children on one. I’ve seen first-hand how fast accidents happen and how long help can take to arrive,” said Grace.

“We created All Hands Lifesaver so distance doesn’t have to be the difference between life and death.

“We wanted to put access to immediate help in every parents' pocket across Australia, removing some of the barriers rural and regional people face when it comes to both first aid education and access to emergency healthcare.” 

Children under 15 make up 15 percent of all farm-related deaths in Australia, with most occurring close to home and far from emergency care.

With more than 72 farm deaths and 133 serious injuries recorded in 2024, All Hands Lifesaver will close the critical time gap between incident and intervention.

Designed in consultation with peak safety and health bodies, the app is tailored specifically for the realities of rural life and also includes visual and audio support for low-literacy users.

The Sisterhood Project, which developed the app, is a national not-for-profit focused on removing barriers to lifesaving education, especially in rural and under-resourced communities.

“This isn’t about turning parents into paramedics,” said Grace.

“It’s about helping them stay calm and do what matters most in those first few minutes.”

"It was important for us to create a free, easy-to-use resource for everyone, no matter their location, socioeconomic background or level of education."

The All Hands Lifesaver app is available from 25 July via the App Store and Google Play.