Scanning the QR code with a suitable code reader on a smartphone or tablet computer with camera opens up a digital rescue card. A live internet connection on the smartphone is required. The rescue card shows important information such as the location of vital vehicle components such as fuel tanks, airbags and electric cables. Such information helps to minimise the risks for occupants as well as for the emergency teams helping.

Mercedes-Benz is the first manufacturer in the world to equip all new vans as standard with the rescue sticker. The sticker is available as a retrofit option on all vans built since 1996. Retrofitting can be undertaken by all Mercedes-Benz service partners.

The location of the rescue sticker is standardised for each Mercedes-Benz van model. In the case of the Vito and the Sprinter it is located on the B-pillars on the driver's and the co-driver's side. In the case of the Citan the QR code is inside the fuel filler flap and on the B-pillar on the other side of the vehicle.

If no mobile internet connection is available, the rescue services can also make use of an app specially developed for this purpose. This solution allows rescue cards to be called up offline from the device's memory. The device memory can be updated with new and modified rescue cards at the touch of a button. The app will be available free of charge from 2015.