A few months ago, before I applied to work at Fast Horse, a company that was developing a smartphone app offered me an internship. I wasn’t sure I was interested at first, but I decided I would try something new and see what happened. As it turns out, the project was an amazing one.

The app I worked on called LifeLine Response, a personal safety mobile app that can alert your family, friends and law enforcement in the case of an emergency.

Personal security apps have been in the Android and iTunes marketplace for a while, but LifeLine Response is definitely different. I know what you’re probably thinking, “He worked on it so of course he is going to say it’s unlike all other safety apps,” but in this case, it’s actually true and I’ll tell you why.

See, this app removes human error by responding to natural human reactions that normally happen in an emergency.

In case you’re in a sketchy situation where you don’t feel comfortable or simply want some peace of mind when walking alone, the app has two different settings that can be used – “Timer Mode” and “Thumb Mode.”

“Timer Mode” is just what it sounds like; if your hands aren’t free you can set a countdown timer for the alarm. After the countdown is finished, if not disabled before, the app is fully activated and the alarm goes off. This is the mode to use if you’re exercising alone or meeting someone from Craigslist to buy a new fish tank.

The second option on the app is “Thumb Mode.” This mode works best for situations like walking home alone at night. Once this “Thumb Mode” starts you simply keep your thumb the phone’s screen while you walk. If your thumb is removed, a 20-second timer starts to count down before the alarm sounds, giving you enough time to deactivate it with your code if it was an accident. This mode is what truly makes the app stand out from the others; you often don’t have time to fumble through setting of an alarm if you’re in an emergency.

In either case, if the alarm starts there are several things that happen simultaneously: the camera flash will start going off, a screeching alarm will sound on maximum volume, a male or female voice tells the attacker authorities have been contacted, your seven pre-determined lifelines are notified with emails and text messages, real-time GPS location monitors your location, a 24/7 dispatch center contacts you to see if you’re alright and if you’re not they will relay your location to local authorities.

The last feature that sets it apart from the rest is the silent alarm. After the initial alarm goes off, instead of entering your disarm code you can enter the silent alarm code. This makes an attacker think the alarm was deactivated by turning off the alarm and flash, but in reality, the response center immediately contacts the authorities with your real-time location.

LifeLine Response is not a free app. Pricing options include a $3.99 per month plan or a $21.99 annual subscription.

I’m not saying that this app is a guarantee for safety, but it is honestly one of the closest things to it. Hopefully you’ll never be in a situation where the alarm does go off, but if you don’t feel safe or need peace a mind when alone, LifeLine Response is the app for that.

Check out the product video to learn more: