People in the north-east urged to sign up to CPR app

People in the north-east with CPR knowledge are being urged to sign up for the GoodSAM app.

It allows the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) to alert community responders to the location of someone needing urgent assistance after going into cardiac arrest.

The app will notify app-users who are within 500m of the incident. 

The SAS says equipping bystanders with the tools to help, through dialling 999, starting CPR and using a defibrillator, those suffering a cardiac arrest have a much greater chance of survival. 

In Scotland, over 3,000 people have a cardiac arrest outside of hospital every year. 

Michael Dickson, SAS Chief Executive said: “When a cardiac arrest occurs we know every second counts and the earlier CPR happens the greater the chances of survival. The public can help by finding out how to carry out CPR and by joining GoodSAM. You can really make a difference.”

Dundee-based Chris Allison has already helped people through the app, hesaid: “As I had previous experience of emergency medicine through my work, I felt it my duty to register as a GoodSAM responder. There is no right or wrong when it comes to CPR, but family members can often find it hard when they are highly distressed.

"The GoodSAM app is extremely valuable as it gives local people in their communities the ability and system to provide life-saving support.”