Ambulance Victoria this week launched GoodSAM, which aims to build a network of ‘good samaritans’ who can respond to cardiac arrests.

The app alerts registered first aid-qualified responders to nearby people in cardiac arrest. 

More than 1100 paramedics participated in the app’s trial period, which started in January.

Ambulance Victoria hopes to increase that network of first responders through partnerships with the Country Fire Authority, St John Ambulance and other organisations.

Registrations are also now open to doctors and nurses, to further grow the number of first responders.

​Ambulance Victoria estimates there are at least 76,000 potential responders within emergency service organisations alone. 

Ambulance Victoria Horsham auxiliary senior team manager Paul Burton said the GoodSAM technology was a game-changer.

“Every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces someone’s chance of survival from cardiac arrest by 10 per cent,” he said.

“GoodSAM is certainly not a replacement for ambulance response to cardiac arrest. The technology is in addition to the current response, with the intention of saving more lives.”

Mr Burton said the app also identified defibrillator locations. He said this made it even more important for groups to register their devices with Ambulance Victoria.

He said he started hand-delivering brochures about registration to businesses and schools on Wednesday.

“It costs nothing to do and it could save a life,” he said.

“We have 27 defibrillators registered in Horsham, but that’s not the true number of defibrillators out there– there would be more than that.”

Earlier this year, four defibrillators were installed in public spaces across Horsham as part of an Ambulance Victoria and Horsham Community and Police Consultative Committee project.

Two more will be installed as part of the initiative.

Mr Burton encouraged medical professionals to sign up to GoodSAM by visiting ambulance.vic.gov.au/goodsam/.

He said people could register defibrillators at ambulance.vic.gov.au/register.

Ambulance Victoria chief executive Tony Walker said GoodSAM would play a role in helping save more of the more than 6000 Victorians who experienced cardiac arrest away from hospital each year.

“We’ve already seen lives saved as a result of the app, when off-duty Ambulance Victoria paramedics helped to save the lives of patients after responding to a GoodSAM alert,” he said.

“The two lives saved in pilot phase proves that GoodSAM is transformative technology for patients in cardiac arrest and highlights the impact trained bystanders can have in the critical minutes between a Triple Zero call and emergency services arriving.

“Victorians shouldn't be surprised if an off-duty lifesaver, doctor or firefighter arrives within minutes – they may be in their pyjamas but they are there to help save your life.”