New app aims to get lifesaving help to cardiac arrest patients faster
GoodSAM Responder app alerts nearby trained volunteers to start CPR before ambulances arrive
Last updated 11th Jul 2025
South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) and the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service (IWAS) have launched a new app to speed up care for people suffering from cardiac arrest.
The GoodSAM Responder app uses GPS to alert verified volunteers when someone nearby needs urgent help. If a 999 call is made about a cardiac arrest, the nearest responder within 500 metres gets a notification with the aim of CPR beginning before an ambulance arrives.
Early CPR and defibrillation can greatly improve survival chances, with each minute of delay reducing the chance of survival by up to 10%.
The service went live across SCAS and the Isle of Wight on Thursday 19 June 2025, and is currently open to certified healthcare professionals and trained responders. There are now plans for a wider rollout to the public with CPR training is planned for autumn.
“This is about saving lives,” said David Hamer, Operations Manager for SCAS. “Getting trained responders to patients quicker can make all the difference.”
The initiative is partly funded by South Central Ambulance Charity and combines technology, community training, and emergency care to create faster response times.
Healthcare professionals can register at www.goodsamapp.org. All responders are verified and trained before being activated.