Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service says they will now be able to better serve rural areas with the release of a smartphone app.

The app, SOLUS, allows emergency assistance to be requested and received 24 hours a day. Travellers and residents of remote areas, farmers, and recreationists will find SOLUS especially useful.

The app uses location services to track users and will connect the individual to the STARS Emergency Link Centre, respond accordingly and inform the designated emergency contacts.

The app is free to download, but it does cost $9.99 per month to subscribe.