GoodSAM

GoodSAM (Good Smartphone Activated Medics) is an international network is comprised of trained volunteers to give life support to people in cardiac arrest who provide lifesaving assistance to people in cardiac arrest while help is on the way.

Last year over 2,500 New Zealanders suffered from a cardiac arrest (heart stoppage) outside of hospital care, with a majority happening in their own home. In New Zealand, 1 in 10 people will survive a cardiac arrest. We are working hard to improve these statistics.

Applying CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) can increase a patient’s survival chances by up to 40%. However, for every minute waiting - a patient’s chance of survival falls by 10 -15%. Acting immediately is critical to saving a life.

How does GoodSAM work

The GoodSAM Responder App is a professional system used by Emergency Services worldwide. It alerts trained volunteers to nearby cardiac arrests so they can provide CPR, use an AED, and deliver basic life support before emergency services arrive. If you are trained in CPR and AED use, you can register as a responder and help save lives.

If a GoodSAM responder is within 1000 metres of a suspected cardiac arrest they will receive an alert via their phone giving them the opportunity to respond. The app also shows responders the location of the incident and the known closest AEDs.

How to join our GoodSAM network

Head to https://www.goodsamapp.org/regResponder to register
Choose "New Zealand" as country
Choose your verifying organisation
- New Zealand: Public for all citizens with CPR/AED knowledge
- New Zealand: Registered Healthcare Practitioner for all current practising members (doctors, nurses, midwives, physios etc)
- New Zealand: St John Ambulance for all current staff and volunteers of Hato Hone St John
Fill in your details in the registration form
Upload a .jpg or .png image of your ID for verification
- For Public registrations please submit your current first aid certificate
- For Registered Healthcare Practitioners either your work ID or APC
- For St John Ambulance, your ID card, APC or a photo of you in uniform
Click submit and await verification from GoodSAM administrators

Ensure you know how to perform basic life support (CPR) and use an AED

Get the app:

Lifesaving apps

Did you know there are mobile phone apps designed to support you with CPR or help you find your nearest AED?

find out more

Questions?

Please visit our FAQs page for more information or reach out to us at goodsam@stjohn.org.nz

What is GoodSAM?: GoodSAM stands for Good Smartphone Activated Medics. This is a network of volunteers who are ready to give life support lifesaving assistance to people in cardiac arrest while help is on the way. The GoodSAM Responder app saves lives by letting GoodSAM responders know that someone nearby needs CPR in the first critical minutes after cardiac arrest.
Why should I become a GoodSAM responder?: Last year over 2,500 New Zealanders suffered from a cardiac arrest (heart stoppage) outside of hospital care, with a majority happening in their own home. Applying CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) can increase a patient’s survival chances by up to 40%.

In 2023/2024 the odds of survival in NZ increased by 70% when a GoodSAM responder attended the scene (source: OHCA report 2023/2024. Published Feb 2025)
Who can become a GoodSAM responder?: Anyone! Make sure you know learn how to perform CPR and use an AED then register via GoodSAM website to get the app: Download from the App Store Get it on Google Play
How can I learn about how to perform CPR and use an AED?: We offer a full range of CPR and first aid training courses and have public and private first aid training courses available in over 100 locations across New Zealand.

Most people can perform CPR and use a defibrillator. The defibrillator itself will give you clear instructions, but it's good to be prepared anyway. This video will show you each step in the process.

We also have a community programme 3 Steps for Life that offers a free one-hour training session providing lifesaving skills and confidence to help if someone has a cardiac arrest in your community.
Can I respond with my own AED?: Yes, you can respond using your own AED; simply select ‘I have a defibrillator’ from the Actions screen on the GoodSAM app when responding to an alert, so that we know you are responding with your AED.
Where do I find out more about the app and how the alerts work?: Take a look a the GoodSAM website for all the information you need to know about GoodSAM and how the responder app works.