Rural charity RABI has launched a new free smartphone app, FarmersAid, designed to provide vital support in the immediate aftermath of serious farm accidents.
The app offers clear, step-by-step guidance for dealing with life-threatening incidents, including crush injuries, machinery entrapments, falls from height, livestock-related accidents and severe bleeding. It has been developed to help farmers, farm workers and bystanders take swift action while waiting for emergency services to arrive.
RABI said the app focuses on the “Platinum 10 Minutes” – the critical period following a serious injury when prompt intervention can have a significant impact on survival and recovery.
Agriculture remains one of the UK's most hazardous industries. Although agricultural workers represent only around 1% of the national workforce, the sector accounts for approximately 20% of workplace fatalities. The charity said the app was created in response to ongoing concerns about farm safety and the challenges of accessing emergency care in remote rural areas.
Developed in partnership with specialists in rural emergency medicine, FarmersAid translates complex medical advice into straightforward instructions that can be followed under pressure. The app includes guidance for ten common emergency scenarios and has been designed with large buttons, simple navigation and easy-to-follow decision-making prompts for use during high-stress situations.
Additional features include direct access to emergency services, location sharing through the what3words system, and practical preparedness tools such as guidance on setting up helicopter landing zones, finding nearby defibrillators and activating emergency SOS functions on mobile phones.
The launch follows a period of concern within the farming community after several fatal incidents were reported in recent weeks. RABI said too many farming families continue to be affected by preventable tragedies and hopes the app will help improve outcomes when accidents occur.
FarmersAid was officially unveiled at the Royal Cornwall Show and will be promoted at agricultural events across the country throughout the summer, including Cereals, Groundswell, Great Yorkshire Show and Royal Welsh Show.
RABI said the app is the first stage of a wider FarmersAid programme, with future plans including specialised farm emergency training, critical care kits, wellbeing support and educational outreach initiatives.
The FarmersAid app is available to download free of charge from both Apple and Android app stores.
