Every Minute Counts: Volunteering with the GoodSAM Responder Program in NSW

On a regular Friday night out with friends, I received an alert that reminded me why I joined the GoodSAM responder program. Someone nearby was in cardiac arrest, and the app was asking for help. I accepted the alert, grabbed a friend, and headed straight to the location.

This time, paramedics arrived just before we did, and the app let me know that our assistance was no longer needed. But I was ready - and that’s exactly why I joined this program.

When seconds count, community responders are needed

In an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, every minute without CPR or defibrillation reduces a person’s chance of survival by 7 to 10 percent. Ambulances are fast - but in those first critical minutes, bystander intervention can mean the difference between life and death.

That’s the gap that GoodSAM helps to fill. By activating volunteers who happen to be nearby, it brings help to the scene faster than emergency services can reach on their own. And it turns ordinary people into life-saving links in the chain of survival.

What is the GoodSAM program?

GoodSAM (short for "Good Smartphone Activated Medics") is a global platform, now operating in NSW in partnership with NSW Ambulance. It connects people who need help with those willing to provide it.

When a Triple Zero (000) call is received for a suspected cardiac arrest, the app sends an alert to nearby registered responders. You get the person’s location, a map of nearby AEDs, and updates as the situation unfolds.

Even when you're not the first on the scene, your willingness to act matters. Because the moment you get that alert, you’ve stepped into a role most people never imagine themselves playing: that of a first responder.

Who can join?

One of the best things about GoodSAM is how accessible it is. If you are:

• Over 18

• Able to perform CPR

• Willing to be contacted in an emergency

you can register. You don’t need to be a paramedic or health professional. Everyday first aiders are welcome and encouraged, to take part.

You’re also covered by NSW Ambulance’s insurance while responding, so you can step in confidently, knowing you’re supported.

The power of readiness

Not every activation will result in action. Sometimes, like in my case, the professionals get there first. Other times, you might be the first on scene. Either way, being ready is what matters. That moment of decision - to go, to help, to act, is what GoodSAM is all about.

Being a GoodSAM responder is a powerful form of service. You may never be activated. You will not always be needed. But you are part of a growing network of Australians willing to show up when it counts.

Make yourself available for that one crucial moment

If you’ve ever wondered how you could make a real difference in someone’s life, this is one of the most direct and impactful ways to do it.

Sign up. Be ready. Help save a life.

📺 Watch how the program works

👉 Register to become a GoodSAM responder