While it may seem unusual, the combination of a UX/UI Designer and a paramedic gave birth to an unexpected creation—a mock-up of a life-saving app. We live in an era inundated with information—feeds, streams, and live broadcasts relentlessly assail us, vying for our attention. On top of that, there’s the professional side of it—emails, tweets, and posts on platforms like Facebook.
Ready to Make a Critical Decision?
For a rescuer, life moves at an even faster pace. They understand that seconds can determine the effectiveness of their decisions and actions. In some cases, it’s a matter of split-second “decision-making impulses.” In certain situations, trained hands instinctively carry out the required actions—they’ve learned their craft through rigorous repetition.
The field of emergency medicine is a relatively recent development. Its literature is replete with abbreviations, diagrams, and symbols—tools that enable instinctive actions in critical situations, without the need for conscious thought.
However, I observed a particular gap in the market. Despite the abundance of applications for healthcare professionals, a niche remains underdeveloped—emergency medical services. Most paramedics are passionate individuals eager to learn and hone their life-saving skills. They want to know how to react in the face of a pressure pneumothorax, handle cardiac tamponade, treat burns, or deal with insect bites. The ability to anticipate and act decisively is crucial.
When Every Second Counts
Consider a recent change in rescue techniques—“Emphasizing the use of landing net stretchers over orthopedic boards.” Does it sound trivial? Not at all! Implementing this simple change in recommended practice is likely to prevent permanent limb paralysis in many cases of severe spinal injury.
It was these nuances that motivated me to design the user interface (UI) for a forthcoming application I’ve named “Emerga.” The primary objective of this app is to assist paramedics in mastering current treatment algorithms. Additionally, it serves as a compendium of knowledge about approved drugs, their dosages, and potential side effects.
Why do I believe that the user interface plays a critical role here? Above all, it’s because seconds truly matter in rescue operations. In a critical moment, a stressed rescuer reaching for help from “Emerga” should not have to ponder which icon enables ECG scan interpretation or classifies hypovolemic shock.
This is why Emerga’s user interface is designed to be as intuitive and transparent as possible. ■
