Rabi launches FarmersAid farm accident support app

The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (Rabi) is encouraging farmers to download its new FarmersAid app, a critical support tool designed to help save lives in remote rural locations in the event of a serious farm accident.

Developed in partnership with leading experts in rural emergency medicine from the University of Lancashire, Professor Stuart Maitland-Knibb and Professor Cathy Jackson, it provides key advice to help agricultural workers respond to common accidents and injuries on farm quickly.

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Lee Krawczyk, head of communications at Rabi, told Farmers Weekly the app provided step-by-step advice for dealing with 10 of the most common on-farm accidents in order to reduce the number of fatalities.

This includes injury by animal, being crushed, electric shock, being hit from above, trapped in machinery, burned, drowning, a fall from height, and being struck by a vehicle.

He suggested that there was a critical 10-minute period after an accident for administering aid, and often the arrival of emergency services can take time in rural locations.

Alicia Chivers, Rabi chief executive, said: “We want to see FarmersAid on as many phones as possible across the farming community.

“Whether you’re working on a farm every day, supporting family members or employing staff, we’d encourage people to download the app, learn the scenarios and familiarise themselves with it before it’s ever needed.”

The app is designed to be easy to use under pressure, talking through scenarios and offering guidance. It features large buttons, provides uncomplicated explanations and has location-sharing features.

FarmersAid is launching at the Royal Cornwall Show on 4 June, and the product will be showcased at a number of agricultural events round the UK this summer.

Professor Stuart Maitland-Knibb said: “Nobody expects to become the first person responding to a serious on-farm accident, but in rural environments that is often the reality.

“Knowing what to do when first on the scene can save a life and FarmersAid is designed to make that possible.”

The FarmersAid app is free to download and is available on the App Store and Google Play Store.