WE’RE MAKING SOME CHANGES!
Over the next couple of months you may notice some changes:
You can read it HERE or within your Responder app - go to ‘me’ scroll down and click ‘Code of Conduct’.
Including removing profile pictures and last names – With the changing digital world, in order to keep our responders safe we are removing these options. You are still welcome to have your first name visible if you choose to.
We will also enable the ability for responders to select whether they are on or off duty – This change means if you are unavailable to respond, you should mark yourself as “off duty” and you will not be alerted.
More planned as we develop them. Let us know if there is anything you particularly would like to see.
Accounts that are inactive for over 2 years (not opened the app or accessed the website and not receiving any push notifications from the app) may be removed to ensure we are not holding personal data that we don’t need to. If you have multiple different accounts under your name and phone number, any inactive ones may be removed or you may be contacted to see if you require the different accounts.
If there are other questions that you would like an answer to, send us an email to goodsam@stjohn.org.nz or use the link below
Including reviewing the trigger incidents to ensure we have them correct. You won’t notice a change, but we’re looking at things in the background to ensure we respond you to the right incidents.
GoodSAM in the Media
This is your space
Please let us know what you would like to see on here or what you would find useful, or any other questions, comments or queries.
- How does GoodSAM choose which responders are alerted for a cardiac arrest incident?
GoodSAM alerts nearby responders to the incident location first, moving further out (within set distances and timeframes) if those responders do not answer the alert or reject the alert. GoodSAM New Zealand rules are set to alert 6 responders within 1000 metres of the incident location for urban areas and 6 responders within 5 kilometres of the incident location for rural areas. It will keep alerting within the set timeframes, looking for 6 responders to accept. If you haven’t acknowledged the alert in one minute, it will look for the next person.
- I was stood down from an alert – Why?
There are several reasons why your alert was dropped. This could have been due to gathering more information from the scene that indicates a potentially unsafe situation, that the patient condition does not require CPR/AED or that there were other extenuating circumstances that require a different pathway of care. Your alert may have been dropped due to emergency services arriving on the scene quicker than anticipated and no longer requiring assistance from a GoodSAM Responder. Whatever the reason, it’s always important to stop responding if you’re stood down.
- What is expected of me when I respond to an Alert?
When you receive the activation, please mark on your app whether you are responding.
We request that if practical, you respond by foot – if you do respond by car – PLEASE obey the road rules. And when you locate, please park in a way that won’t restrict ambulance access. (or other vehicles)
On arrival to the address, check your app to ensure that you are still required, and the address has not changed. This is a great time to hit “on scene” on your app.
Once you are on scene – Identify yourself with something like “Hello – I am Nic, I am a GoodSAM community responder, here to help you with CPR until the ambulance arrives – is it ok if I come in”
Then – if they say yes – enter the house, locate the patient and then start on your DRSABCs and start CPR if indicated.
If you have an AED – follow the machine instructions to activate it.
When the ambulance arrives - Identify yourself to them as a GoodSAM responder, and then follow their direction,
Once the crew are in place, you are free to leave.
It is very helpful if you fill in the feedback/survey on your GoodSAM app – and there is also an option for if you would like someone to contact you for a welfare check.
- When I got to the house, I didn’t feel safe – or there was something that didn’t feel right – Do I have to still go in?
Absolutely not. Trust your instincts. Your safety is the most important thing. If it doesn’t feel right, please stay clear
- Why was the address incorrect? I.e. 54 Baker Street, but was 54C or 3/54 etc
Unfortunately, the way that the data is entered in our Ambulance Dispatch software doesn’t send the unit of flat numbers through to the GoodSAM app. We are working to try and resolve this issue.
- Can I bring along a friend?
No, if they have not been responded to the address via the GoodSAM platform, they are not to enter private property. This is due to needing to be able to track who responds for safety and for privacy purposes. This is particularly important if we need to be able to contact you after the incident. If you have someone you think would be a great GoodSAM responder, encourage them to sign up.
- Can I take photos or video of the incident, or post about it on social media?
This is a hard No – and is specifically mentioned in the Code of Conduct that you agreed to. Please remember that you are present during some of the worst moments of someone’s life. We expect you to respect the privacy of the patient and their family, as well as other responders and emergency services personnel.
If we hear about actions such as these – you will be removed from the GoodSAM platform.
- I went to an incident, and it’s affecting me – how do I access help?
First off, the way you are feeling is a normal reaction, and you aren’t alone. Please reach out.
After the incident, when you fill in the survey – you have the option to request someone contact you from our admin team.
And also, contact our friendly team at goodsam@stjohn.org.nz and we can work with you to make sure you get the support you need.
Finally, we recommend setting yourself as “off-duty” within the app to give yourself some time.
- I don’t want to be visible on the map – how do I change this?
Log into your app, click on “me” in the general app settings toggle “show me on the map” - the default is set to on, so if you don’t wish to be visible to other responders, please turn this off. You will still be alerted as usual even if not showing on the map.
- What does Availability mean and how do I change it?
When you are marked as not on duty, you won’t get alerted. This is best used if you don’t want to be responded or know you would not be in a fit state to respond, such as a celebratory night out, if you are unwell, or just not wanting to respond at that time
To mark yourself as unavailable, go into your app, select “Me” scroll down to Availability. If the slide bar is red, and the dot is on the right, you are on duty – to go off duty, click the slider and you will have to confirm that you are turning the availability off.