Program FAQs

What can Nova Scotians do to help?

Register your automated external defibrillator(s) (AED). Get trained; we always recommend a full course but even doing a refresher session or watching a few videos online can help. Learn about the difference between heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest and know that both are medical emergencies. In the case of sudden cardiac arrest, call 9-1-1, perform CPR, and use an AED. Media Inquiries: 1-888-255-6606 or email: [email protected]

We have an AED but we aren't sure if we should join. Why should we be a part of this program?

We will happily accept anyone and everyone in Nova Scotia on our AED registry. This program is built on a community foundation where it will only be successful if communities come together to help each other in times of need. The reality of sudden cardiac arrest is that approximately 10% of people survive. Through research, we know that this number can be a lot higher if the event is recognized quickly and there are quick actions from anyone around them to call 911, perform CPR, and use an AED. The goal is to get an AED on someone as quick as possible because that is when they will be most effective.

Is there a registration fee?

No. There is no cost to be registered with this program. You are responsible for purchasing your own AED. If an AED has been donated to your facility or organization, you are responsible for the costs of maintaining that AED (replacing the battery and pads when they expire or are used). The GoodSAM Responder app is also free to download.

Do I need to be certified in CPR and AED in order to register?

You do not need to be CPR and AED certified to be a part of the registry, although it is highly recommended. The goal with this program is to decrease the time between a sudden cardiac arrest happening and the first shock delivered by a defibrillator and any muscle memory you can build from CPR and AED training is beneficial. We do not offer certified training, so we recommend looking into other certification organizations such as Heart & Stroke, Red Cross, St. John Ambulance, and Lifesaving Society.

What is GoodSAM and what changes can I expect?

GoodSAM medical (GoodSAM) is a U.K., web and app-based platform that Emergency Health Services (EHS) is using in Nova Scotia to enhance our Automated External Defibrillator (AED) registry and volunteer responder notifications. GoodSAM is new to Nova Scotia. There are wording changes such as ‘inspectors’ now being noted as ‘guardians’ and “AEDs” being under the “Emergency Kits” section. The AED registration page is a streamlined form which allows you to register an AED that you own or take care of, and also AEDs that you come across in your daily activities. Responders can also use the GoodSAM Responder phone application to respond to cardiac arrest calls nearby and they can also register AEDs through the app.

How can I be involved?

In GoodSAM, a guardian (formerly known as an inspector) is someone who is in charge of maintaining the registered AED. This may be the owner of the AED or their designate and can be considered the point of contact for the device(s). Guardians will receive automated e-mail reminders when the expiry dates of pads and batteries are approaching. These notifications are meant to ensure that the AED is ready to use should it be needed during a sudden cardiac arrest incident. It is important to note that a guardian does not need to be trained in CPR and AED, although we recommend that for everyone. They do not need to be in charge of responding with an AED.

What is a volunteer community responder?

A volunteer community responder is someone who agrees to download the GoodSAM Responder app (via Apple Store or Google Play) to create an account under the "EHS Nova Scotia" organization. The responder can be the owner or designate of one or more AEDs. It is recommended that responders have CPR and AED training. If contacted, responders need to ensure that their safety, and safety of others are the number one priority when responding to an emergency. All responders and guardians are required to sign the ‘Terms and Conditions and Release of Liability” which is found on the www.savelivesns.ca website or under the EHS Nova Scotia organization in the GoodSAM Responder phone application.

Why is it asking for an approved government ID to register as a responder?

This government ID will only be viewed by our short list of administrators and is for the approval process. It is our due diligence to ensure that we know who the responders are and that they are over 18 years of age. While this app will no doubt help save lives, responding to a cardiac arrest situation involves the potential for someone to see or hear private information and puts a responder at risk of psychological and/or physical injury. We need to ensure that anyone involved in this program understand the Terms and Conditions when signing on for this program.

Should I be seeing more AEDs on the GoodSAM app map?

We have over 1500 AEDs uploaded to the GoodSAM platform and you should be able to see the closest five (5) AEDs to you wherever you are, as well as the nearest ten (10) responders to you. One common mistake when registering is to select the wrong "organization" (select “GoodSAM” instead of “Nova Scotia EHS” under “Verifying Organization”). You can check this under the “Me” section on the app, under “Verifying Organization” or on the GoodSAM website under “Manage” and “Current Organization”. If you have chosen the generic "GoodSAM" verifying organization, please re-register online at www.savelivesns.ca under the correct organization.

How accurate is the GoodSAM platform?

If you want to be notified of a cardiac arrest nearby, there are a few things you can do to make this as accurate as possible. The first step is to ensure that the GoodSAM Responder app has access to your location all the time; not just when you open it. These settings will be prompted when you open the application for the first time. If you set it to allow “only when using”, the app will only have your last location when the app was opened. We recommend double-checking that this app has location settings to "always" and "precise location" on your phone. The second thing you can do is adjust your location accuracy in the app under the “Me” tab. It is the second last slider on the bottom where you can go from less accurate to more accurate. Please note this will affect the battery usage of the app.

Does my AED have to be accessible 24 hours a day?

No, it does not need to be accessible 24 hours a day. We understand that some AEDs cannot be accessible at all hours and this is why there is an ‘availability’ section on the registration form. Please identify the hours of operation of your building/AED including if your AED is available only seasonally (for example, an ice arena or school may only be available from September until June).