2025 Alabama EMS Reference

Support & Troubleshooting

📱 Quick Troubleshooting

Before contacting support, please try these basic troubleshooting steps:

Step 1: Force Close the App

  1. Swipe up from the bottom of your screen (or double-click Home button on older devices)
  2. Find the Alabama EMS Protocol Reference app
  3. Swipe up on the app preview to close it
  4. Reopen the app from your home screen

Step 2: Restart Your Device

  1. Press and hold the power button (and volume button on newer iPhones)
  2. Slide to power off
  3. Wait 30 seconds
  4. Turn your device back on
  5. Reopen the app

Step 3: Check for Updates

  1. Open the App Store
  2. Tap your profile icon in the top right
  3. Scroll down to see available updates
  4. Update Alabama EMS Protocol Reference if available

❓ Questions & Answers

Q: Do I need an internet connection to use this app?
A: No! The core functionality of the app is completely offline. All protocols, medications, and forms are stored locally on your device. You only need internet connectivity when accessing external resources/links.
Q: How do I search for a specific protocol?
A: Use the search bar at the top of the home screen to search across all protocols, contacts, and resources. You can also tap "All Protocols" for a complete searchable list.
Q: Can I add my own contacts?
A: Yes! Tap the Contacts tile, then the "+" button to add custom contacts. You can also import from the pre-loaded Alabama hospital database, from a CSV file, or from vCard (VCF) files shared from your iOS Contacts app.
Q: How do I export my contacts?
A: In the Contacts screen, scroll to the Export section. Tap "Export as CSV" or "Export as vCard" to save your custom contacts. Choose where to save the file (iCloud Drive, Files app, etc.). You can use these exported files to back up your contacts, share them with colleagues, or import them into other apps.
Q: What happens to my custom contacts if I delete the app?
A: Your custom contacts are stored locally on your device and are automatically included in your device's iCloud Backup (if enabled). When you delete the app, all local data is permanently deleted. To restore your contacts, you must restore your device from an iCloud Backup—simply reinstalling the app will NOT recover your contacts. You can also export your contacts as CSV or vCard files before deleting the app to create a manual backup. Make sure iCloud Backup is enabled in Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud → iCloud Backup.
Q: How do I ensure my contacts are backed up?
A: Two options: (1) Enable iCloud Backup on your device (Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud → iCloud Backup) - your contacts will be automatically included in backups. (2) Use the Export feature in the Contacts screen to manually export your contacts as CSV or vCard files. Save these files to iCloud Drive or another location for safekeeping.
Q: How do I print forms?
A: Open the Forms category, select a form, then tap the printer icon in the top right corner. Follow the iOS print dialog to print or save as PDF.
Q: Is this app officially endorsed by the State of Alabama?
A: No. This is an independent, unofficial reference tool. The protocol content is sourced from publicly available documents provided by the Alabama Office of EMS, but the app itself is not affiliated with or endorsed by any state agency.
Q: The PDF won't open or displays incorrectly.
A: Try force closing the app and reopening it. If the issue persists, delete and reinstall the app. Note: Your custom contacts will be lost unless you restore from an iCloud Backup or have exported them, so ensure iCloud Backup is enabled or export your contacts before deleting the app.
Q: My contacts disappeared after an update or reinstall.
A: User contacts are stored in a local database that should persist across app updates. However, if you deleted and reinstalled the app, your contacts will only be restored if you restore your device from an iCloud Backup or if you import from a previously exported CSV/vCard file. For the future, ensure iCloud Backup is enabled on your device and/or regularly export your contacts. You may need to re-import contacts from the defaults database or from a CSV/vCard file if they cannot be recovered.

📧 Contact Support

If you've tried the troubleshooting steps above and are still experiencing issues, please reach out:

Email Support:

Please include in your email:

  • iOS version (Settings → General → About)
  • Device model (e.g., iPhone 15, iPad Pro)
  • App version (Settings → About in app)
  • Detailed description of the issue
  • Steps to reproduce the problem
  • Screenshots if applicable

⚠️ Important Disclaimer

This app is for reference purposes only. Always follow your agency's protocols and medical direction. In emergency situations, rely on your training and medical oversight. This app does not constitute medical advice.