Every minute counts when someone suffers an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Early CPR and defibrillation can make the difference between life and death, which is why ambulance services across the UK continue to look for new ways to get help to patients as quickly as possible.
One of the most effective tools available is the GoodSAM cardiac responder application, which enables trained volunteers to be alerted to nearby cardiac arrests before ambulance crews arrive. Responders can provide immediate life-saving interventions, including CPR and the use of a defibrillator, helping to bridge the critical gap between a 999 call and the arrival of emergency services.
Evidence shows that survival from OHCA can increase threefold when a GoodSAM responder attends, demonstrating the significant impact that early intervention can have on patient outcomes.
As part of the national out-of-hospital cardiac arrest programme, the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) has been encouraging the wider adoption of GoodSAM cardiac responder alerting across ambulance trusts. Over the past 18 months, an increasing number of trusts have implemented the system, helping to strengthen community response and improve access to potentially life-saving care.
A significant development has been the introduction of self-certification for responders. Individuals who have completed CPR and defibrillator familiarisation training and are willing to respond to cardiac arrests can now register as responders through the platform. This represents an important step in increasing the number and availability of volunteers, reducing barriers to early bystander intervention and helping to build stronger community resilience.
The approach is not new. The Scottish Ambulance Service and ambulance services in Australia have successfully utilised self-certification for several years, demonstrating how communities can be empowered to provide assistance when it is needed most. The GoodSAM model builds on the longstanding “Good Samaritan” ethos, enabling people with the skills and confidence to help those in immediate need.
While GoodSAM is now widely used, approaches to cardiac responder alerting have varied across ambulance trusts. Differences in responder categories, the radius of alerting, follow-up arrangements and operational processes have led to inconsistencies and, in some cases, limited the potential benefits of the system.
To support a more consistent approach, AACE has worked alongside ambulance trusts, GoodSAM and partner organisations to develop a new GoodSAM Cardiac Responder Alerting Framework. The framework provides best-practice guidance to help trusts maximise the benefits of responder alerting while ensuring volunteers are supported appropriately.
The framework includes recommendations on areas such as alerting radii, responder expectations, organisational responsibilities and partnership working with other emergency services. It also recognises opportunities to improve the alerting process itself, helping to reduce unnecessary activations to patients who are clearly deceased, have existing resuscitation decisions in place, or are subsequently found not to be in cardiac arrest.
A key focus of the framework is ensuring that responders receive appropriate support after attending incidents. Volunteers willingly give their time to respond to life-threatening emergencies within their communities, and the framework highlights the importance of robust follow-up processes to support their wellbeing and recognise their contribution.
The publication of the framework represents an important step forward in creating a more unified approach to GoodSAM cardiac responder alerting across the UK. By supporting the effective deployment of volunteers and promoting best practice, ambulance services can further strengthen the chain of survival and continue improving outcomes for people experiencing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
We are continually seeking to improve the use of GoodSAM to ensure we deliver the best possible care for patients through the effective deployment of volunteers and increased access to early CPR and defibrillation.
If you are not currently registered as a GoodSAM responder and would like to become one, click here and select the ambulance service you work or volunteer for to sign up.
For more information, contact Liam Sagi, AACE National Strategic Lead for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest, via liam.sagi@aace.org.uk
