New Riverside app alerts individuals who can respond to sudden cardiac arrests

RIVERSIDE — The Riverside Fire Department announced the implementation of a citywide app Wednesday to notify nearby individuals who can respond to sudden cardiac arrests in public spaces.

“It’s not an app for certified CPR users,” the department’s Brian Guzzetta told City News Service. “It’s hands-only CPR and that isn’t a certification. So people who feel comfortable with knowing hands-only CPR can download the app and then access it.”

Guzzetta added that responders who administer CPR will be protected under California’s Good Samaritan Law, which encourages and protects people who aid others in an emergency situation.

While on the PulsePoint Respond app, users can access how-to guides on administering CPR and using an automated external defibrillator. For users who want to become certified, the American Red Cross offers CPR and AED training and certification courses at redcross.org/take-a-class/cpr

The PulsePoint Respond app can be obtained on the Apple App Store or Google Play. PulsePoint has been used by regional agencies to obtain assistance for victims including drowning victims.

To enable alerts for when CPR is needed nearby, and after indicating they know CPR and are willing to assist, users must enable their location to be tracked and follow nearby agencies, like the Riverside Fire Department.

Users within a quarter mile will receive a ‘critical alert’ — similar to an Amber alert — and when opened, the screen will display the exact location of the reported emergency.

“If you’re in your home and you have a full arrest, no one’s going to be coming into your house and knocking on your door,” Guzzetta told CNS. “PulsePoint is designed for public spaces.”

Users who respond to an emergency would provide CPR until advanced medical personnel arrive.

The Riverside Medical Clinic Charitable Foundation funded the fire department’s subscription and implementation of the app. The foundation also plans to provide hands-only CPR classes, scholarships for certified CPR classes and programs to add AEDs around the city.

“For every minute that passes without CPR and defibrillation, the chances for survival decreases by 10 percent,” Division Chief Steve Mckinster said. “It has been established that (standard CPR) buys time while our paramedics are responding to render aid.”