Comparison

EMS Guidebook vs First on Scene

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Digital EMS agency protocols
  • Replacement for physical guidebooks
  • Pediatric vital signs charts
  • Burn and c-spine clearance guides
  • Cardiac rhythm examples
  • AHA guidelines
Features
Read full description

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

About

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.

Highlights
  • AED information
  • Medical recommendations
  • Educational purposes
  • Emergency preparedness
Features
Read full description

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

EMS Guidebook4 screens
First on Scene4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. EMS Guidebook sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. First on Scene asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
EMS Guidebook versus First on Scene: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEMS GuidebookFirst on Scene
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (90 ratings) — better4.0 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews50.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings90 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB49 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperLarry OwensKirti Patel

Customer experience

EMS Guidebook

All ratings90 ratings
Positive97.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative2.2%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral11.1%
Negative55.6%

First on Scene

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

7 purchases

EMS Guidebook

One-time7
  • 2009 Utah EMS for Children Off-Line Protocols$1.99
  • District 2B Protocols$2.99
  • 2009 West Virginia EMT Basic Protocols$3.99
Show 4 more
  • 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
None

First on Scene

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is EMS Guidebook free?
EMS Guidebook is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is First on Scene free?
First on Scene is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, EMS Guidebook or First on Scene?
EMS Guidebook is rated higher. EMS Guidebook averages 4.8 out of 5 from 90 ratings, while First on Scene averages 4.0 from 4 ratings.
Do EMS Guidebook or First on Scene have ads?
Neither EMS Guidebook nor First on Scene shows ads.
Which is updated more often, EMS Guidebook or First on Scene?
EMS Guidebook ships an update every 6 months, and First on Scene weekly. Most recently, EMS Guidebook was updated on September 10, 2026 and First on Scene on August 6, 2026.

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