Product
FirstAid+
Company:
Passion Project
Timeline
2023
Duration:
2 Months
Role
UX Designer - Visual designer
Innovation
I transformed first aid into a visual and voice-led experience that guides anyone through life-saving steps, even in moments of panic. By removing the need to read or translate, it makes help feel immediate, intuitive, and within reach for everyone.
Overview
In emergencies, even simple first aid steps can feel overwhelming, especially under stress. This iOS-first aid concept reimagines how people access life-saving guidance by embedding interactive, step-by-step instructions directly into the iPhone lock screen. Designed for clarity and speed, it enables anyone, regardless of training to respond with confidence in critical moments.
Problem
Basic first aid remains out of reach for most people in India due to a range of systemic and situational barriers. Many bystanders are unable to perform CPR or use an AED in emergencies, often because they’ve never been trained or even made aware of these tools. Language barriers make existing resources hard to understand, while formal training programs are often expensive and inaccessible. Most importantly, there is little to no basic healthcare education embedded in everyday life, leaving people unprepared to act when it matters most.
Solution
I designed a first aid feature built into the iPhone lock screen for quick and easy access during emergencies. It uses simple visuals, clear animations, and voice cues to guide users through CPR. By replacing text with intuitive illustrations, the experience breaks language barriers and makes first aid easy to follow for anyone, even without training.
Research
I began by exploring the current state of first aid awareness in India, where formal training for basic life-saving techniques is almost nonexistent for the general public. To understand the landscape, I conducted an online survey with 62 participants to assess their knowledge of CPR and their willingness to learn. I followed this with a site visit to Hi-Tech Hospital and interviewed first responders to understand how they guide untrained bystanders during emergencies. I also carried out a literature review to place these findings within the broader context of healthcare access in India.
Here are the key insights that emerged:
Only 18 out of 62 participants knew how to perform CPR
58 participants were aware of CPR and eager to learn it
Most preferred learning through short video tutorials
First responders often rely on verbal cues to guide bystanders
Ambulance delays due to traffic make immediate action even more critical
These insights made it clear that there was a need for a simple, visual, and accessible way to teach and guide first aid, especially one that could overcome language barriers and be used in real-time.
Design decisions
I focused on designing a simple, accessible first aid experience that works within the constraints of real emergencies. Here’s how I approached it:
Integrated with iOS Medical ID to avoid the need for a separate app and ensure instant accessibility from the lock screen
Sketched initial concepts on paper to map critical user decisions under stress
Chose iOS as the design platform for its consistency, simplicity, and wide adoption
Created gender-neutral illustrations that clearly depict CPR steps without relying on text
Used simple animations and voice cues to guide users through actions visually and audibly
Conducted peer review on wireframes for feedback and refinement
Ran accessibility checks to ensure all visuals were distinguishable for colorblind users
Built high-fidelity wireframes combining clear visuals, animations, and minimal interface friction
These decisions helped create a design that feels native, intuitive, and usable by anyone in a real-world emergency.
User testing
I tested the working prototype with five untrained peers using their own iPhones in simulated time-bound scenarios. These informal, task-based sessions provided valuable qualitative insights and highlighted the effectiveness of the design decisions.
4 out of 5 users successfully followed all CPR steps with minimal hesitation
80% reported that the visual animations made the instructions easier to understand than written guides
All users described the experience as intuitive, especially under simulated time pressure
3 out of 5 Users with no prior CPR training said they felt more confident they could act in a real emergency after using the prototype
While the sample size was small, the feedback strongly supported the value of visual-first, language-free guidance for everyday users.
What I did and why it matters?
I created a first aid experience that works directly from the lock screen, using simple visuals and voice cues instead of simple text. This makes it easier for anyone to follow life-saving steps without needing prior training. In a place where emergency care is often delayed and basic health education is limited, this design helps people act quickly and confidently when it matters most.
Learning
This project taught me the value of early feedback and fast iteration. It helped me focus on what mattered most and avoid overbuilding. I learned how to check my designs for accessibility and saw how complex it can be to design for a wide range of users. The biggest challenge was assuming people have phones and are willing to help. Future work should explore this further and expand the design for Android users to increase reach and impact.
