Efficiency and speed are crucial when it comes to medical alert systems, especially for the elderly or those living with a medical condition. Rescu and Medical Guardian are two medical alert app solutions that offer immediate access to help. Here, we discuss what sets them apart from other safety systems, their similarities, and their differences.
A Quick Overview
As medical alert services, both Rescu and Medical Guardian offer the ability to notify first responders quickly in the event of an emergency. It’s in the details that we see the real differences between the two.
Rescu
Rescu is a personal safety app created to offer everyone immediate access to the quickest life-saving emergency services. Designed to require zero talking, Rescu ensures the fastest emergency help will be sent to you regardless of your ability to communicate.
With just two taps on your phone screen, an ambulance will be dispatched to your pre-set location. You also have the option to upgrade to Rescu Prime for police and fire dispatch services, as well as the ability to store up to 4 pre-set addresses.
Medical Guardian
Unlike the Rescu app, Medical Guardian offers devices as an in-home medical alert system that’s connected to a wireless cellular network. The systems typically have a base station and several wearable panic buttons that when pressed will connect you to their medical monitoring center available 24/7. Medical Guardian offers services for emergency and non-emergency situations with different packages depending on need.
How Do They Work?
Though each device was created to make signaling for help easy, they work in very different ways.
Rescu
The way that Rescu works is quite simple and straightforward. After the app is downloaded, you just have to input your address (up to four with Rescu Prime) and you are able to add up to four emergency contacts that will be notified when you signal for help.
In the event of an emergency, signaling for help involves the following:
- Tap the emergency service you need in the app – ambulance (police or fire with Rescu Prime) dispatch
- Responders will immediately be dispatched to your address
- All of your emergency contacts will be notified that you’ve signaled for help
Medical Guardian
Medical Guardian makes signaling for help easy with just the tap of a button, however, it requires the user to constantly wear one their devices. The options are:
- A watch
- Mobile pager
- In-home machine
If an emergency occurs, press the button on the device and it will automatically connect you to one of their emergency call operators who will assess your situation and send a first responder to your location.
Similarities
Rescu and Medical Guardian exist to allow users to live independently by giving them a way to quickly get the help they need in the event of an emergency situation, both feature the following:
- Access to help without the need to dial 9-1-1
- User-friendly
- Preset destinations
- Preset emergency contacts
Differences
Both Rescu and Medical Guardian are personal safety devices, meant to give users a quick way to get help in an emergency, however, a few key features truly differentiate the two.
Accessibility
Rescu can easily be downloaded by anyone with a smartphone and set up takes only minutes, followed by the opportunity to practice in a ‘safe mode’ setting.
Medical Guardian, however, requires a purchase of their products and an installation that involves setting up an appointment for an in-home visit.
Cost
Rescu’s mission statement is to provide everyone with immediate access to life-saving services, which is why they made their ambulance dispatch service free. If you want to expand your safety options, Rescu gives you the option to upgrade to Rescu Prime, allowing access to police and fire dispatch services for $60/year.
Medical Guardian offers different packages depending on need with each having a different cost associated. There are no long-term contracts, but Medical Guardian requires you to use their service for 90 days before giving you the ability to cancel.
Communication
In regards to communication, Rescu simply requires two taps on your smartphone to signal for help. No communication is required making it a great option for those with a medical condition or in an emergency rendering them unable to speak, as well as, those users who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Additionally, no added time is wasted trying to explain your emergency. After tapping the button, your signal bypasses 9-1-1 call centers and goes straight to Rescu’s 24/7 UL Certified, 5 Diamond call center who dispatches help immediately.
Medical Guardian requires tapping a button on one of their medical alert devices. You will then be connected with an operator who will work to learn your situation and will then dispatch emergency services for help.
Live Safely and Securely with Rescu
While both medical alert solutions provide many benefits to their users, Rescu believes that everyone should have immediate access to life-saving services; which is why they offer their app for free. Feeling safe is something we all have the right to! Downloading the Rescu app gives you and your family peace of mind that if something happens you can immediately signal for help with no communication required.
