New personal safety app Help Your Friend developed as young people embark on college life

A revolutionary new app that allows users to know when a loved one is in distress has been developed, and students who are beginning college this month are being urged to download it.

HYF - The Help Your Friend app has been established by Meath native Hilary Moran, who has used her personal experiences to come up with a way of aiding those who may be in potentially vulnerable situations.

HYF is the must-have emergency welfare app that ensures personal safety for all ages. Whether travelling for business or leisure, out dancing or dating or simply having a night in, HYF adapts to all lifestyles. The tailor-made alarm feature is designed to meet your individual needs. It runs off data and WiFi, using satellites to access the person’s location - should they require assistance. This unique app will act on your behalf and notify your chosen responders that you need a little help, if you are unable to reach your phone.

The idea for the app came about after a family member of Hilary’s was unable to get help, due to an inability to reach their phone after suffering a stroke.

We have all possibly known or heard of someone in a difficult or vulnerable situation. Most emergency apps require the user to activate their phone to call for help. HYF has been designed to ease the concerns of individuals and loved ones, and there are a number of potential scenarios in which it can be used. You don't need to press a button to get help, this clever app responds to your inactivity. The unanswered 5-minute alarm reminder sends an alarm and message to your first chosen responder, should they not respond within 2 minutes it moves onto your next emergency contact, and so on. When a contact responds it gives the user’s last location. The emergency contacts must also have this app on their phone for it to work. So even if you are not active, HYF is.

The tailor-made alarm is set when planning to embark on a situation where there may be a potential risk. The personalised alarm is designed to suit all ages and lifestyles, from going on a date, mountain climbing, going swimming, travelling or having a night out.

The rise in the popularity of online dating brings its own risks to those who meet people from dating applications and websites, a simple setting of the HYF alarm can ensure peace of mind ahead of such dates.

Hilary explains her own reasons for wanting to help society by creating an app that aids the welfare of any person who downloads it.

“An awful incident happened to a relative of mine when help was needed, and he was unable to get to his phone for a number of days – unfortunately incidents like this are too common. I wanted a way to prevent this from happening in the future, to any relatives of mine or anyone else for that matter.

“There are so many vulnerable situations people find themselves in nowadays, whether it’s going on dates set up through dating apps, taking on extreme challenges, or just regular household chores that have an element of risk to them. I designed HYF (Help Your Friend) as a reactionary tool that can come to someone’s aid when they most need it.”

This app can be used for myriad situations, making it an extremely useful tool for persons of any age and lifestyle.

HYF is also extremely useful for parents of adolescents who are beginning to socialise more frequently. It offers them a way to feel at ease that their child is safe when outside the home, without being overbearing towards them.

As many young people prepare to move to new places and start college life this month, HYF is the perfect tool to give peace of mind to those in unfamiliar environments, while also easing the worries of parents who see their children move away from home for the first time.

It’s a fast, effective and easy way to stay safe and connected to your family and friends. If you are unable to reach your phone, don’t worry – help is at hand. HYF’s unique feature provides peace of mind and confidence in the knowledge that you are not alone.

There are no hidden costs: HYF is a once off payment - including 20 free SMS and no in-app purchases required.

Help your Friend is available for download on the Google Play store and on the Apple store.