Review of Think Safe's First Voice ResQR

September 21, 2007

The review of Voice ResQR by Think Safe is unique amongst reviews that have been written here at Clinton Fitch (Dot) Com!  It is the first review that has been written without the product - in this case software - actually being used.

The reality is that if I never have to use First Voice ResQR that will be fine with me.  That will mean that I have never been in an emergency situation where first aid or emergency care was needed.  Frankly, I'm okay with that idea.  The odds of that are long however, given I am one of millions who travel regularly for business and statistically I will eventually be in a situation where first aid could be something I am called on to perform.  If those odds play out, I'll be glad to have this application with me.

First Voice ResQR is a Windows Mobile Professional (PocketPC) application that provides both displayed text and voice instructions on how to perform emergency first aid for a wide range of symptoms or injuries.  While it is not intended to be a replacement for professional medical care, it is designed to provide anyone basic, step-by-step instructions on providing care to someone in need.  It does this by providing easy-to-understand voice commands and instructions while also providing large, easy buttons on the display to go from page-to-page in the instructions or select the victim's symptoms or injury.  While having not had to use First Voice ResQR in an emergency, working with it over the last several weeks has proven this should be a must have application for any Windows Mobile owner.

First Voice ResQR is installed onto your Windows Mobile Professional device via ActiveSync or Windows Mobile Device Center and requires approximately 68MB of storage.  It can be installed in your device's main memory or on a storage card and your device must be running Windows Mobile PocketPC 2003, 2003SE, 5.0 or 6.  Once the application is installed and started, a warning screen is displayed reminding you that in emergencies that 911 (or your local emergency number) should be called immediately.  This disappears after 10 seconds and the main display of First Voice ResQR is shown.

Figure 1:  Warning Screen Urging For Emergency Services To Be Called If Necessary

Figure 2:  The First Voice ResQR Display

The display is simple but effective.  It is divided into twelve "dots" which represent various situations or conditions that the victim is experiencing - thirty in all to be exact.  The range of these items is impressive, going from simple burns and cuts to childbirth and heart attacks.  While First Voice ResQR isn't designed to be exhaustive in nature, the conditions you are most likely to run are listed which provide quick and easy direction that could save a life.  For this review I have chosen item 11, Heat/Cold overexertion.  Living in Texas, heat exhaustion is a very real issue here in the summer and one I'm likely to see in real life.

Once I select the condition, First Voice ResQR displays a secondary screen which is the one used in all of the conditions or situations.  This screen is divided into several important areas.  Dominating the screen is the text display.  This is where the text of questions or steps to perform is displayed.  The area is big enough where it can be comfortably read by most people a few feet away.  Even if you are unable to read it, First Voice ResQR verbally asks its questions or procedures to perform.

To the right of the text display are the interactive controls to interface with the application.  Here you will find a Yes and No button, a Play button, Stop, Previous, Next, CPR and Home button.  It is with these buttons that you answer questions, move to the next (or previous) page of instructions or return to the home screen.  The CPR button is also here so you can easily go to the CPR instructions with a single button tap and not have to go through the home screen.  Finally, below the text display are forward and back buttons to quickly move back and forth through instructions.  All of these buttons are large enough to find and press in an emergency situation where accuracy is a bit more difficult (you are nervous more-than-likely and may not be in ideal environmental conditions).  The only improvement on these could be color coordination of some of them such as having the Yes button green and the No button red.  This could provide a visual cue of what button to push in a hurry.

Figure 3:  The Instruction Display of First Voice ResQR

The instructions provided by First Voice ResQR are nicely detailed and are not simply "keep them calm" answers.  In the case of heat exhaustion for example, clear and precise instructions are provided on how to care for the victim to cool them.  Further, often the application provides information on potential issues that could arise.  In my example for heat exhaustion, rapid cooling of someone can cause vomiting.  First Voice ResQR provides instructions with the cooling instructions on what to do if this happens so you and the victim do not panic should vomiting occur.  While it may be an unpleasant image, the reality is that being prepared is amazingly valuable in emergency situations.

Figure 4:  Detailed Instructions Provide More Than "Keep Them Calm" Answers

The real advantage of First Voice ResQR is the voice guided instructions provided.  While the text is displayed for you to read, the reality is you could simply listen and tap the Yes/No, Previous/Next to provide care to the victim.  The text instructions are well written and the verbal instructions complement them well.  The voice used is calm and clear, making it easy to understand.  If you need voice instructions repeated again, tap the Play button on the display.

As you can see, First Voice ResQR is a straightforward and easy-to-use application.  Not only is it a good emergency tool but it is a good "refresher" tool as well.  If you have attended professional emergency training, using this application as a refresher every few weeks or every quarter can help you reinforce those things you have learned so you do not forget them in an emergency.  From a performance perspective, the application performed quite well.  For this review I tested it on both Windows Mobile 5 and 6 devices and experience no issues with it. 

From a "what could be better" perspective, there is only one glaring thing that could be changed:  Overriding of Power settings.  Most Windows Mobile users have their devices either turn off the backlight or shut off after a few minutes when on battery power.  In an emergency this could require you to press several buttons - or worse, have to restart the application and forward your way to where you where - to get the application back up and running.  Those few seconds could be critical in a dire emergency such as a heart attack.  It would be good to see Think Safe adjust the application to keep the device on at full power if it is running. 

This change aside, First Voice ResQR should be a must have application for everyone - parents, those who travel, those who work in an office and those in university or high school.  While Think Safe is very clear that the application is not a replacement for emergency professional care, it is one that can help stabilize and provide immediate care until help arrives.  In many situations it are those first few moments that determine the long term prognosis for victims.

First Voice ResQR is $49.99 and is available through a variety of online retailers including the Clinton Fitch (Dot) Com! Software Store.  Technical support is provided by email Think Safe and responses are usually within 24 hours.  First Voice ResQR is actually one of many emergency related products that Think Safe sells on their website.

Now through October 5, 2007 you can save 15% off of First Voice ResQR at the software store by using the coupon code CFRESQR when you check out.  This discount is only available through the software store here at Clinton Fitch (Dot) Com! and cannot be combined with any other offer.

What We Like:  Easy-to-use interface, excellent instructions, clear and understandable voice commands
What We Don't Like:  Display buttons could be color coordinated, overriding of power settings needed
Rating (1-10):  8

Clinton Fitch, MVP-Mobile Devices
Clinton Fitch (Dot) Com!