Ambulance services partner with GoodSAM to improve cardiac arrest response

South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) and Isle of Wight Ambulance Service (IWAS) have launched a new partnership with the GoodSAM Responder app to reduce response times for life-threatening cardiac arrests.

When a 999 call is received, the app alerts verified volunteers within 500 metres of the incident, enabling them to begin life-saving CPR before ambulance crews arrive. GoodSAM — short for Good Smartphone Activated Medics — uses GPS technology to notify the nearest available responder, helping to bridge the critical time gap in cardiac emergencies.

Early CPR and defibrillation are vital: survival chances decrease by up to 10% for every minute without intervention. By activating trained responders nearby, the initiative significantly improves the likelihood of a positive outcome.

The first phase went live on 19 June 2025 across the Isle of Wight and SCAS’s wider operational area. Currently, registration is open to certified healthcare professionals and clinically trained individuals, with plans to welcome trained public volunteers from autumn.

“This is a significant milestone in our mission to improve survival from cardiac arrest,” said David Hamer, Operations Manager at SCAS. “By enabling trained responders to reach patients faster, we can dramatically increase the chances of a positive outcome.”

Louise Walker, Head of Education and Community Response at IWAS, added: “Every second counts in a cardiac arrest. The ability to activate trained volunteers in our communities will help save more lives across the Island.”

The project is partly funded by South Central Ambulance Charity, combining technology, charitable support and clinical expertise to deliver faster emergency care when every second matters.

Healthcare professionals and certified responders can register at goodsamapp.org, where credentials and training are verified to maintain high standards of care.

In October, we reported on how the GoodSAM app is also being used by several police forces, helping to save over 100 people experiencing cardiac arrests (at time of writing).

The industry will once again be gathering at the NEC, Birmingham for The Emergency Tech Show, co-located with The Emergency Services Show, on 17-18 September, check out the full exhibitor list here. You can find GoodSAM in Hall 4, Stand B132.