EMS Guidebook vs First on Scene
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
EMS Guidebook
This app provides a digital reference for emergency medical service protocols, replacing traditional physical guidebooks. It includes essential medical charts, guidelines, and rhythm examples, with agency-specific protocols accessible via password.
- Digital EMS agency protocols
- Replacement for physical guidebooks
- Pediatric vital signs charts
- Burn and c-spine clearance guides
- Cardiac rhythm examples
- AHA guidelines
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EMS Guidebook allows the user to view the medical protocols of specific EMS agencies. This guidebook is meant to be a replacement of the traditional flip book guides that EMTs and Paramedics carry for reference on emergency calls. The specific agencies protocols require passwords to download. Those passwords are available from the agency's Training Officer. The Generic Protocols are available without a password. As part of the base program, each set of protocols contain references such as pediatric vital signs, burn references, c-spine clearance charts, 12-lead guidelines, American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines, START and JumpSTART triage guides. There are also guides to several common cardiac rhythms with examples. If you wish to have your protocols put into this system contact us through the app
First on Scene
This application provides educational information and recommendations about AEDs and medical emergencies. It is designed for learning purposes and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice from a physician or Emergency Medical Services.
- AED information
- Medical recommendations
- Educational purposes
- Emergency preparedness
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First on Scene helps individuals and organizations prepare for emergencies before they happen. Use clear, step-by-step guidance for common medical emergencies, including cardiac arrest, bleeding, choking, allergic reactions, asthma, stroke, seizures, opioid overdose, and more. When an emergency occurs, always call 911 and follow the instructions of trained emergency personnel. The Equipment Manager gives your team one organized place to track emergency equipment across multiple locations. Create locations, add equipment, record where each item is stored, and keep inspection and expiration information easy to review. First on Scene is designed as a preparedness and organizational resource. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, emergency dispatch, or hands-on training. In an emergency, call 911 immediately.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: EMS Guidebook at 4.8 against First on Scene's 4.0. EMS Guidebook also leads on ratings volume (90 vs 4). First on Scene's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 7) and update cadence (weekly vs every 6 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. EMS Guidebook sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. First on Scene asks for nothing beyond the download.
EMS Guidebook holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: EMS Guidebook has 90 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 33% of EMS Guidebook's written reviews are positive against 50% of First on Scene's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
EMS Guidebook ships an update every 6 months, First on Scene weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 10, 2026 and August 6, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | EMS Guidebook | First on Scene |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (90 ratings) — better | 4.0 (4 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 33.3% of reviews | 50.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 90 — better | 4 |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 15.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 3 MB | 49 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Larry Owens | Kirti Patel |
Customer experience
EMS Guidebook
First on Scene
In-app purchases
EMS Guidebook
- 2009 Utah EMS for Children Off-Line Protocols$1.99
- District 2B Protocols$2.99
- 2009 West Virginia EMT Basic Protocols$3.99
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- 2012 North Carolina EMS Protocols$4.99
- 2009 North Carolina EMS Protocols$4.99
- 2010 Hawaii EMS Standing Orders$4.99
- 2011-2013 St John New Zealand Protocols$4.99
First on Scene
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is EMS Guidebook free?
Is First on Scene free?
Which has better reviews, EMS Guidebook or First on Scene?
Do EMS Guidebook or First on Scene have ads?
Which is updated more often, EMS Guidebook or First on Scene?
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