Thanks for registering as a GoodSAM responder. Here’s what you need to know.
Prepare for your first alert
It’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the app before you receive your first alert. You can:
- Check for Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) near you
- Manage settings, such as the alert settings, from the Me screen
- Use the ‘Simulate Alert’ feature as often as you like to see how you will receive location details, find your way to the scene, and communicate using the app. Don’t worry, it won’t create a real alert and you don’t need to send a reply message, you just need to tap ‘Accept’
- While simulating an alert, you can see some additional available functions in the Actions screen, including a CPR Metronome
- You can click a link to access Google Maps or Apple Maps, but most people use the Map tab within the GoodSAM app
- Clicking “On scene”, “With patient” or “I have a Defibrillator” will help us understand how effective our system is, but don’t worry if you don’t remember to do this
- Some services use the video streaming function, but this isn’t currently used in New South Wales.
Receiving alerts
You will receive an alert when:
- A Triple Zero (000) call indicates a patient is in cardiac arrest
- CPR and an AED are likely to help
- the scene is safe
- You are one of the three closest responders (within 500 metres in a city or town, or within 1 kilometre in a rural area).
We will not send you to an aged care or other health facility, a person whose death was expected, or a scene known to be unsafe.
GoodSAM has an ‘on-duty’ functionality. If you do not want to receive a GoodSAM notification during a certain time, you can change your status in the GoodSAM app Me screen to ‘off-duty’ to no longer receive GoodSAM notifications.
Please remember to mark yourself as ‘on-duty’ again when you are ready and willing to respond to an alert.
You can also change the notification sound of the alert in the Me tab.
Responding to alerts
When you receive an alert, your phone will sound a siren notification (unless ‘Critical Alerts’ are off on iPhone or it’s in silent mode on Android).
Follow these steps when you receive an alert:
When you receive an alert, decide whether to accept or reject it. Accepting an alert is always your choice.
You must reject the alert if you are:
- on duty as a paramedic or on duty in the Control Centre
- impaired by alcohol, medication, or drugs
- suffering from any health conditions
- otherwise unavailable.
If you reject the alert, GoodSAM will notify the next closest responder.
If you receive an alert while at work, you can choose to accept it if:
- you are on duty as Operational Manager and you are in a position to respond. Please advise the Control Centre that you are responding to the alert.
- you are working in a non-operational or corporate role and your manager agrees that it is appropriate for you to respond.
Once you have accepted an alert, the Chat screen will appear with basic case information. This screen also notifies you of any address updates, tells you if any other responders have accepted the alert, and allows you to communicate with them. You do not need to type a message to let us know you are responding – tapping the ‘Accept’ button is enough. The address will disappear once the case is complete, or your help is no longer required.
If available, take:
- an AED
- a first aid kit
- personal protective equipment, including alcohol-based hand rub, disposable gloves and a face mask.
You do not have to take anything if it will slow you down. The most important thing you can do is to go directly to the patient and provide hands-only CPR, which can be done safely without any of the above equipment.
Check the Map screen for the location of the patient and any nearby AEDs. If an AED is easily available, collect it on your way to the patient.
Otherwise, go directly to the patient. The Map screen shows the fastest route. Avoid driving if possible, especially in metropolitan areas. If you do need to drive, obey speed limits and road rules.
While you are on route, you may receive a cancellation message. For your safety, you must follow any cancellation instructions.
When you arrive, assess the scene. If there are obvious hazards or you feel unsafe, you can leave without assisting. To do this, reject the alert by going to the Actions screen and pressing ‘Drop the call’.
If the scene is safe, introduce yourself to any bystanders or family members as a GoodSAM responder. Explain that NSW Ambulance has told you that someone needs help, and that an ambulance is also on its way.
Ask if you can help. If bystanders or family members reject your help, use your judgement. Don’t assert yourself if that puts you at risk.
Once you have introduced yourself, perform CPR or use an AED.
A NSW Ambulance emergency medical call taker will be on the phone with the person who rang Triple Zero (000). Call takers are trained in the effective provision of CPR instructions to bystanders and will stay on the line until NSW Ambulance Paramedics arrive. If you require any assistance while you are at the scene, they will support you.
Use the GoodSAM app metronome to guide your CPR rate if needed. CPR can be safely carried out with a hands-only approach, without rescue breaths.
From the Actions screen, you can let others know you are at the scene and whether you have an AED with you.
When NSW Ambulance paramedics arrive, they will take over care of the person. Describe how you found the person and what you have done to care for them.
You may be asked to keep helping with resuscitation efforts until further crews arrive, but this is voluntary. You do not need to provide care beyond basic life support.