Canadians now have another level of personal emergency services, with the launch of STARS new app called SOLUS, which is a bit like an emergency social media account.

The new app will allow anyone involved in an emergency situation to call for hep simply by pressing a button in the app.

The app will then track the user’s location in real time, and will connect them with an emergency communication specialist at the STARS Emergency Link Centre.

From there, the centre will alert the user’s pre-determined emergency contacts, and will co-ordinate the appropriate level of response.

This app is not intended to replace 911, but will function in support of that and other emergency response systems.

This app is ideal for people who work in rural areas, or work by themselves, and can be the difference between life and death if you are alone in the wilderness and are unable to reach a major roadway or house.

Mark Oddan is the communication lead with STARS, and he says notifying your emergency contacts quickly and efficiently can help you be located sooner.

"You will have pre-determined emergency contacts, those will be your friends, neighbours, family members, coworkers, that will already be entered into the system. The emergency link centre will have those contacts and can notify them on your behalf if you are having an emergency... so that they are aware of the situation obviously, but also to help you or if they need to unlock doors or open gates or whatever for emergency response personnel to come".

The app is free to download, and available on Apple and Android devices.

However, it does cost $9.99 a month to have an active account, which is a small price to pay for a potential life saving device.