Lifeguard APP

People on Vancouver Island will now have access to a new overdose prevention tool, Lifeguard App.  The app was developed in partnership with the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), regional health authorities and Lifeguard Digital Health to help save more lives and ensure people who use drugs alone have access to the supports they need. 

Lifeguard App is activated by the individual before they take their dose. After 50 seconds the App will sound an alarm. If the individual 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.

How to and troubleshooting guides: https://lifeguarddh.com/resources/how-to-guides/

This is one more tool available to prevent overdose deaths, particularly in the context of the dual public health emergency. For those who can't buddy up or connect with an overdose prevention or supervised consumption service, Lifeguard App may help.

The Lifeguard App is now being added to the list of essential health and social sector interventions as part of the Overdose Emergency Response Centre's comprehensive response to the sustained and widespread overdose activity in BC.

Island Health has worked closely with PHSA, BC Emergency Health Services, Vancouver Coastal Health, the Overdose Emergency Response Centre, other regional health authorities and Lifeguard Health during the past two years to test and pilot the App in controlled environments.

You can download the Lifeguard App for your smart phones through the following:   

• iPhones - App Store
• Androids App - Google Play

For more information, visit - https://lifeguarddh.com/