Making your Smartphone a better tool!

With the advent of Smartphones such as the Iphone, Android and yes the Stoneberry (blackberry), many useful tools exist and are created everyday that make things easier to do and our phones even smarter. Now I use the Iphone, and have based the following apps on that platform but most of these exist for the Android and I really don’t know why you would even bother with the Stoneberry. I used a Blackberry for a couple of years and found it a pain in the ass to do so, I equate that device to Barney Rubble, the stone tablet and a chisel.

So I wanted to list some apps that I use and see what you guys use, maybe we can find new ones along the way. I wanted to break them up somewhat into categories to make it a little easier. In today’s society as in survival, information is everything.

Communications:

Zello: is what Nextel used to be and better. Zello allows your phone to act as a walkie talkie with specific channels.
5-0 Police Radio: one of many scanner apps that allow us to monitor situations as they develop.
Poison Help Center: this puts you in direct connection with a trained person at Poison Control to get info for you.
I Heart Radio: This app gives you access to over 1,500 stations and allows you to set your custom stations. Very handy in an emergency and need to listen to local and national news.

Manuals:

Shelters: American Red Cross that will show what shelters are open, where they are and what they offer.
Hurricanes: American Red Cross sends warning of hurricanes in your area and all over the US and lots more.
Earthquake: American Red Cross sends warning of earthquakes in your area and all over the US and lots more
Wildfires: American Red Cross sends warning of fires in your area and shows all fires in the US with detailed info.
First Aid: American Red Cross gives you quick reference to help others or yourself.
2012 /Emergency Response Handbook: This manual gives you tons of specifics on CBRNE items, their symptoms and treatment. It takes items from Chlorine to Uranium and gives you symptoms, treatment and safety info.
Chem Safety: Info on everything you should know more about.
Hazmat Pocket Guide: Every wonder what that placard on the tanker means?

Notification:

Code Red: This is specific to your area with all kinds of warnings from tanker accidents to flooding. Check with your local government to see if they are signed up for it. This was the old reverse 911 with lots of improvements.
RAVE: Rave was designed with business’s or groups that need to notify lot’s of folks at once. It will send a preset message to whom ever you have on a list.
Here I Am: This is a personal locator app that gives your current location and then allows you to post on Facebook, Twitter, send emails or txt msgs to anyone. You can ask for help or just stay in touch. Great if you get separated and need to regroup.
ICE Standard: This has your personal info such as allergies and medications and such with your Emergency contact info available for first responders.
Diabetes Alert: This app is to notify first responders of this medical issue. There are many such as this for specific medical issues that first responders need to know.

Navigation:

Google Maps: Yep it’s Back! With some new features.
MapQuest: I love this app with turn by turn directions, you don’t have to keep looking at the map. Has Gas prices, traffic cams and lots of other things that make this app my favorite. I just ignore the ads but sometimes…..
GPS Drive: Great app for getting around but it’s a little clunky for me.
Google Earth: The app for finding things worldwide.
World GPS: One good app just a good ol fashioned GPS.

Government:

FEMA: This is the official pubs from FEMA. Checklists, what to do if and recovery center real time info makes this a useful tool for planning or finding more info once the SHTF.

Weather:

Wunderground: Good information.
The Weather Channel: I like using more than one to get another opinion!

Utilities:

Flashlight Pro: Great to put some light on a problem.
Currency Exchanger: Good to know what the current trade rate is.
How to Tie Knots: Do you remember how to tie a Carrick Bend?
Survival Pocket Ref: Lots of good info that can help with basic things such as shelter and navigation.

#91 Making your Smartphone a better tool!