By Dylan De Jong

A rural paramedic is confident the reactivation of a mobile app will ‘significantly’ increase the survival rate of people who experience cardiac arrest across the Wimmera-Mallee. 

Hindmarsh-Yarriambiack paramedic community support co-ordinator Kim Hayes is encouraging residents to keep an eye on their GoodSAM, Smartphone Activated Medic, app. 

Late last week, Ambulance Victoria reactivated the app in regional Victoria.

GoodSAM connects responders to patients in those first ‘critical’ minutes of cardiac arrest while paramedics are on the way.

The app has been switched off since March to mitigate the risk of spreading COVID-19. It remains switched off across Melbourne municipalities.

Ms Hayes said first responders who used the app were an additional resource for rural and remote ambulance services.

“As we don’t have the same ambulance numbers in rural regions as metropolitan Melbourne, GoodSAM is pivotal to increase the survival rate of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest,” she said.  

“Every second counts. If we can get the community to sign up, we’re giving people the best chance of walking out of hospital.”

Ms Hayes said every moment a person experiencing cardiac arrest was without CPR, the chances of survival was significantly reduced. 

“For every minute there’s no lifesaving intervention, there’s about 10 percent less chance of that person surviving,” she said. 

“Community support in imitating the ‘call, push, shock’ method – calling triple zero, pushing on a person’s chest to perform CPR and shock, using an AED before we arrive – is vital.”

Ms Hayes said GoodSAM responders would be directed to perform compression-only CPR and were advised not to give ‘rescue breaths’. 

“Responders have to put on a surgical mask and when they get to the scene, we ask them to put a mask or a face covering on the patient. If the responder has gloves, wear them, and safety glasses as well,” she said. 

“Hands-only CPR and no mouth-to-mouth is required. When paramedics arrive on scene, leave the scene immediately and practise safe hygiene. Clean your glasses, dispose of your mask and gloves and ensure you wash your hands appropriately.” 

Ms Hayes said the return of the GoodSAM app was timed with a donation of AEDs to communities across the Wimmera and southern Mallee.  

Ambulance Victoria donated AEDs to towns including Murtoa, Tarranyurk, Beulah and Donald. 

“Murtoa has been designated as a ‘heart-safe community’ and it has received two AEDs, one at the Stick Shed and another at the museum. They’re all registered and ready for use,” Ms Hayes said. 

“When GoodSAM goes off, that means the app can alert you to the where the nearest AED is and potentially pick that up before you go to the scene. GoodSAM is totally voluntary and there are psychologists available after you go to an event.”

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