Knowledge hub

At Heartrunner, we believe in the power of openness and knowledge exchange to drive meaningful progress. We are committed to providing valuable insights, best practices, and resources to help improve outcomes in our fields.
We’re open to research studies using our data and have collected the primary outcomes here.
Whitepaper
Our Whitepaper offers insights from our over 15 years of experience. Saving lives is a community’s best investment, achieved by connecting existing resources and fostering a strong volunteer community supported by great technology. People are eager to help—your role is to facilitate that.
Video library
We’re working on the library, stay tuned!
FAQ
What is Heartrunner?
Heartrunner is a platform provider from Sweden. It originated from a research project at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm to connect volunteers to cardiac arrest emergencies. The company is comprised of a small team with a socially driven mission and strong culture-creation skills. It has established out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) systems in Denmark and Sweden. Heartrunner is actively involved in national and international research projects and is exploring new ideas and solutions for other time-critical events, like fires.
How does Heartrunner work?
Heartrunner provides a solution that alerts registered volunteers via geofencing technology. When a time-critical emergency occurs, the 112-emergency dispatch center sends an alarm, notifying nearby responders within a dynamic radius to ensure the fastest possible help. We replace luck with modern technology—connecting the right people at the right time to make a difference. Read more
What types of emergencies do Heartrunner volunteers assist with?
Heartrunner currently responds to out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) and fires through different initiatives:
- Hjerteløber and Sms-livräddare – 300,000 volunteers trained in CPR who respond to sudden cardiac arrest alarms to provide early life-saving assistance in Denmark and Sweden.
- Delta (Räddningstjänsten Väst) – started as a pilot project expanding Heartrunner’s reach beyond cardiac arrests to fires with already over 1000 active volunteers.
As the platform evolves, more emergency types, such as drownings and other time-critical medical situations, can be included to enhance community response further and save lives.
Who can become a volunteer and part of the system?
You can volunteer if you feel confident assisting in an emergency. In Sweden and Denmark, it was an active decision to allow anyone over 18 years old with self-reported knowledge in CPR to participate as a volunteer. No formal certification is required, but individuals should feel prepared to help. This setup can vary between initiatives, as decision-makers within each program can establish specific participation requirements. The Heartrunner app can be available to everyone via App Store/Google Store or restricted to selected individuals or predefined groups. Additionally, organizations can implement features such as certificate uploads or ID verification to ensure specific training levels for their volunteers.
How does Heartrunner take care of its volunteers?
Our volunteers are our most valuable resource, and we prioritize their safety and well-being above all else. In Sweden, we have tailored support structures to ensure volunteers are protected in every way possible. This includes agreements with local healthcare organizations and insurance providers to offer coverage and support during and after volunteer activities. We aim to ensure that volunteers feel supported and have peace of mind while making a difference in their communities. The setup may vary in other countries based on local conditions and partnerships.
How can Heartrunner be used in my region?
If your region needs a solution to connect volunteers with the emergency dispatch center in time-critical situations, Heartrunner can help. Our platform has been operating and expanding since 2009, providing expertise in system development, education, and stakeholder collaboration.
We tailor our solution to local needs and work closely with healthcare organizations, emergency services, and other key partners. To learn more and explore how Heartrunner can be implemented in your area, please book a demo with us:
David Fredman, david@heartrunner.com
Anika Vogel Widnér, anika@heartrunner.com
What are the requirements for a successful implementation?
For Heartrunner to be successfully implemented in a region, several key factors need to be in place:
- Collaboration with Emergency Services – A connection to the local 112 or emergency dispatch center is essential to ensure seamless alerting of volunteers.
- Support from Local Authorities and Healthcare Organizations – Partnerships with relevant stakeholders help ensure sustainability and trust in the system.
- Volunteer Engagement – Recruiting and maintaining an active base of volunteers is crucial for an effective response network.
- Regulatory Compliance and Data Security – Adapting to local regulations, including GDPR and other data protection laws, ensures legal and ethical operation.
- Technical Infrastructure – Ensuring reliable mobile and internet connectivity to facilitate real-time communication and alerts.
Is the app the same in every market?
The HeartRunner app is designed as a white-label solution. While the core functionality remains the same, almost everything can be customized to fit local needs. It can also be branded under the umbrella of a well-known institution or organization, making it more trusted and familiar to users in different regions.
Who should I contact for more information?
For any questions or further details about Heartrunner, you can reach out to:
- David Fredman (david@heartrunner.com) – One of the founders and the heart of operations. He can provide insights into the platform and its mission.
- Anika Vogel Widnér (anika@heartrunner.com) – Responsible for national initiatives. She can demonstrate the system, explain its functionality, and discuss how it can be implemented and modified in your region and local standards.
For general inquiries, please get in touch with us via info@heartrunner.com.