GoodSAM technology plays vital role in life-saving response as survivor meets ambulance responders
A Somerset man has been reunited with members of the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) who helped save his life after he suffered a sudden cardiac arrest.
Kelvin Parker, a 72-year-old retired businessman from Chilcompton, suffered a sudden cardiac arrest at his home in the early evening of Saturday 26 June 2025. Kelvin's wife, Caroline, found him unresponsive in their living room and quickly called 999, and with help from her son Kris and neighbour Neil, they started cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
First to arrive on scene were off-duty Emergency Care Assistant, Mike Coe and Student Paramedic, Emily Kingman after being alerted via the GoodSAM Responder App.
GoodSAM (Good Smartphone Activated Medics) uses mobile GPS technology to alert the nearest available responder registered on the app when someone suffers a cardiac arrest. CPR-trained members of the public are notified of an incident within a 500-metre radius.
Many off-duty SWASFT staff and volunteers carrying medical equipment are registered on the GoodSAM App. This means they can step in to support their local communities outside of their working hours. Responders can begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the precious minutes before an ambulance arrives.
Mike and Emily also volunteer as Community First Responders, giving their time outside of shifts to attend emergencies within their communities. On the evening of Mr Parker's cardiac arrest, they were off duty from both their roles but rushed to Kelvin's home after receiving the alert.
They were joined by Paul Cosh, SWASFT Community Engagement and Training Officer, before double-crewed ambulance teams and Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance attended. Once stabilised, Kelvin was airlifted to Bristol Royal Infirmary, where he was placed in a coma for five days and later had a stent fitted.
Now home and recovering well, on Thursday 04 September, Kelvin and Caroline, had the opportunity to meet Mike, Emily and Paul along with George Pemble-Vincent, Deputy Head of Volunteering and Community Services at Paulton Ambulance Station.
At the reunion, Kelvin, said: I am so thankful to be able to attend this reunion. I want to say a huge thank you to Emily, Mike, Paul and all the other ambulance and air ambulance crews who saved my life just over 10-weeks ago.
Kelvin added after the reunion: It was such a pleasure meeting them today and being able to thank them in person was special. I am a pure example of a life saved via the GoodSAM Responder App. If they didn't arrive when they did, I would not be here today. I would encourage anyone who is trained in CPR to register on the GoodSAM App.
Emily Kingman, Student Paramedic and Community First Responder for SWASFT, said: It was wonderful to see Kelvin and Caroline again in such positive circumstances and we are so glad his recovery is going so well.
Mike, who also happens to live just a few doors away, called me after receiving the GoodSAM alert that evening. We were both off duty at the time, but we know how important those first few minutes are during a cardiac arrest, so we jumped straight in the car together and got to Kelvin's house as quickly as we could.
Mike Coe, Emergency Care Assistant and Community First Responder for SWASFT, added: Being able to step in when the app alerted us, and then to see Kelvin sitting in front of us at the reunion, is a reminder of why this role means so much. We don't always get to hear the outcomes of the patients we attend, so having the chance to meet Kelvin again, see him doing well, and to share that moment with Caroline too, was really special.
George Pemble-Vincent, Deputy Head of Volunteering and Community Services at SWASFT, said: The GoodSAM App is revolutionising emergency care by linking those trained in CPR to nearby patients in cardiac arrest. Every second counts during a cardiac arrest, and by alerting trained members of the public to assist, the app is saving countless lives. Anyone who has CPR skills can register on the app which can be downloaded from any of the app stores. There is no expectation that you will be carrying any equipment - it is the ability to perform early, good quality CPR that is important. When registering as a GoodSAM Responder, choose 'GoodSAM' as your verifying organisation.
The impact is clear, faster intervention leads to better outcomes, with increased chances of survival and improved recovery for patients experiencing cardiac arrest outside of hospital settings. It was an absolute pleasure meeting Kelvin and Caroline, and we wish them all the best for the future.
The reunion not only celebrates Kelvin's recovery but also underscores the vital role the GoodSAM Responder App plays in improving survival rates from out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. The GoodSAM App is now accessible to the public, enabling individuals with the appropriate CPR skills to register and be alerted to nearby emergencies in real time. This innovative system significantly reduces response times by connecting skilled responders to incidents often before an ambulance arrives.
Kelvin's story is a powerful testament to the life-saving power of community action, modern technology, and dedicated emergency services working hand in hand.
Now on the road to recovery, Kelvin and Caroline are looking to run a CPR training event delivered by SWASFT' Volunteering and Community Services team in their local community, to promote the importance of knowing these vital lifesaving skills.
For more information about the GoodSAM App and how to register, visit GoodSAM Website