Scottish Ambulance Service relaunches Wildcat Cardiac Responder scheme to save lives in north-east

A LIFESAVING initiative in which local volunteers respond to out-of-hospital cardiac arrests has been relaunched in Grampian by the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS).

The Sandpiper Wildcat project began in 2016 as a collaboration between BASICS Scotland, Resuscitation Research Group, Edinburgh University, SAS and the Sandpiper Trust.

The initiative has now been re-established, led by the community resilience department of the ambulance service, after the successful project was halted prematurely by the pandemic.

The Wildcat Cardiac Responder programme only operates in Grampian at present.

The Wildcats are volunteers from diverse backgrounds who devote their time to responding to emergency calls for cardiac arrests in remote locations across the north-east.

The responders are dispatched via the "GoodSAM" app, which works by sending out an alert, generated from an emergency call to the ambulance service. A Wildcat Responder will receive the alert if they are within a 10km radius of someone suffering a cardiac arrest.

The volunteer can then quickly reach a patient, perform CPR, deploy an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and provide support to the patient's family while an ambulance is on its way.

Lorna Donaldson, SAS cardiac responder development lead, has worked to re-engage volunteers and provide training.

Nearly 100 Wildcat volunteers are now back responding.

Lorna said: "With the launch of the GoodSAM app at the end of September, the first couple of months for our Wildcat Responders have been very positive.

"There are over 100 AEDs in the Grampian region which Wildcat volunteers can access as they provide an emergency response to out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.

"We encourage our Wildcats to work in groups in the community, and if a number of our volunteers can attend a scene then it makes it even more effective in being able to treat a patient who has gone into cardiac arrest and give them the best chance they can of survival."

Jim Brand, who retired from the oil and gas industry in 2019, has volunteered as a Wildcat since the original project was launched. He has also been a volunteer Community First Responder with SAS since 2011.

Jim said: "I am very keen on bystander CPR and training in CPR for schools and community groups.

"Wildcat seemed to be such a fantastic idea to provide immediate cardiac arrest response throughout remote and rural locations.

"One of the most rewarding aspects in being a Wildcat Responder is being able to help people and try your best at one of the lowest points in their lives. When a success is achieved, it is hugely rewarding."

Fellow Wildcat Responder returnee Ian Hendry also worked in the oil and gas industry, where he was involved in emergency response duties onshore and offshore.

Ian said: "Providing the immediate care required for patients is vital should an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest occur, and being able to arrive quickly and commence CPR is essential.

"Statistically, the outcome will not always be what we want and having experienced this many times, this prompt response gives some comfort to families and loved ones of the patient at what is very traumatic time for them.

"Upon arrival, the technicians and paramedics will assume the lead, and we'll focus on supporting the family or loved ones, and that aspect is also very rewarding.

"Another very important area is being able to educate community groups on the chain of survival, how to recognise an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and, following a call for help, how to perform chest compressions.

"As a responder, it can at times be challenging depending on the situation we are faced with but we receive thorough regular training, have the opportunity to meet other responders where we can share different scenarios and experiences, and we also have great support from the team at SAS."

Plans are under way to roll out the responder scheme to other parts of Scotland.