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A "smart alerting" algorithm that selects volunteer first responders based on estimated travel time — rather than physical distance — significantly improved the rate of volunteer arrival before ambulances at suspected out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. Presented at the AHA Scientific Sessions, the trial found smart alerts and a 2,500 m radius strategy both outperformed a 600 m fixed-radius approach. The system also reduced futile dispatches by filtering out volunteers unlikely to arrive in time.
When someone collapses from cardiac arrest, every second counts — and a new algorithm aims to make sure the right volunteers show up first. A prospective, randomized trial presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions found that a "smart alerting" system, which dispatches volunteer first responders based on predicted arrival time rather than fixed geographic radius, significantly boosted the rate of volunteers reaching the scene before emergency medical services (EMS).
The study, conducted in Freiburg, Germany from January to July 2024, compared three alerting strategies across 823 suspected out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. The smart alert and 2,500 m radius systems both outperformed the 600 m fixed-radius approach, and the smart system added an important efficiency edge: it filtered out volunteers unlikely to beat the ambulance, reducing wasted dispatches and keeping volunteers engaged with the app long-term.
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Why it matters: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival hinges on rapid CPR and defibrillation. Smarter volunteer dispatch systems could bridge the critical gap before ambulances arrive — potentially saving more lives without burning out the volunteer network.
