General News
30 March, 2023
Good SAM in Lismore
A PARAMEDIC from Geelong recently spoke to the Lismore Progress Association about the benefits of the Good SAM app.
A PARAMEDIC from Geelong recently spoke to the Lismore Progress Association about the benefits of the Good SAM app.
The app alerts users to cardiac arrest incidents near them and gives them the location of the nearest defibrillator to respond to an incident while an ambulance is on its way.
Lismore has four defibrillators around the town, which have been registered on the app.
The presentation included a video to explain how the app works, with Geelong Ambulance paramedic Levi Karschimkus answering questions at the end.
Some members of the Progress Association also signed up for the app.
CFA community liason officer Lance Grace said the app had been received “very well” so far.
“We had Levi do a presentation to the CFA last week, and around five people signed up at that meeting,” he said.
“There were 20 people from the CFA present, so it was a pretty good response.
“We’re a small town, so the ambulance services in Camperdown would take a while to get here.
“We do have some ambulances here occasionally, but it’d be a bit hit-and-miss if they’re actually here when someone has a heart attack; the app will help provide a quick response if somebody has a heart attack.”
Mr Karschimkus said the app hadpreviously been received positively in other communities.
“There’s plenty of examples of this app making a huge difference in communities, especially in rural and remote communities,” he said.
“It’s always well received.
“This app connects people who need CPR with people that know CPR while the ambulance is on its way, meaning lives will be saved.
“We’d all love to come out and talk about the Good SAM app and promote it in communities.
“If people contact Ambulance Victoria and request a presentation, we’d love to come out and do a launch in their community.”