Your safety is a priority
As a GoodSAM responder, you will only receive alerts for cases that we have identified as appropriate. Any cases with a risk to your safety are excluded from the GoodSAM interface.
GoodSAM will ask you to ignore an alert or stand down if one of the following scenarios applies:
- There is a safety concern on-site
- The police are at the scene
- The job is located within a residential aged care facility
- The Triple Zero (000) caller indicates that the patient is beyond help
If you have yet to interact with the alert, you will receive another alert that you are no longer required.
If you feel unsafe at any time, you do not need to assist. Leave the scene immediately and leave any equipment behind if needed. When emergency services arrive, you should speak to them about the situation. Please call Triple Zero (000) if you think police are needed.
How am I protected?
Chest Compressions are easy and safe. Any attempt at resuscitation, even one that isn’t perfect, is always better than no attempt. NSW Ambulance Medical Call Takers will be on the phone and can guide you through the process if you need any help. The person you are helping is unconscious and cannot feel any pain.
The NSW Ambulance Control Centre are closely monitoring the situation from the moment a triple-zero (000) call is received. They may send you a cancellation message if your help is no longer needed, or if the situation is not safe.
Insurance
All GoodSAM alerts are monitored and backed by the highest level of emergency response. As a GoodSAM responder, you are covered by NSW Ambulance’s personal accident and injury insurance, as well as medical indemnity insurance.
Giving Chest Compressions to a nearby person after a GoodSAM alert is the same as if you’d seen them collapse yourself. As a member of the public providing simple first aid, you are protected as a Good Samaritan under the Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), and you are not liable for injury, misfortune or death that may occur to the patient.
Globally, GoodSAM volunteers have responded to three million alerts, with no liability claims made against a responder.
Event of injury
In the unlikely event you are injured, attending paramedics will make sure you receive any necessary medical attention at the scene. Afterwards, you can talk to the GoodSAM team about any further care or support you may need.