It’s “shocktober” this month, and Ambulance Victoria are encouraging Victorians to know the location of their nearest automated external defibrillators (AEDs).
AEDs are automated devices that are used during a cardiac arrest to shock the patient’s heart back into normal function and there are many stationed around the Upper Yarra for the public to access in an emergency.
They are designed to be used by anyone regardless of medical training as they provide simple, step-by-step instructions.
October marks the sixth year of the campaign and aims to increase cardiac arrest survival rates across Victoria.
Ambulance Victoria’s latest data showed that Victoria has the best cardiac survival rates in Australia, and the third best anywhere in the world.
Ambulance Victoria medical director associate professor David Anderson said it is essential to know CPR, how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and where your closest defibrillator is located.
“Shocktober is about giving more Victorians who suffer a cardiac arrest a better chance of returning to their loved ones,” he said.
“We are urging the community to refresh their knowledge about CPR and how to use a defibrillator. For every minute CPR is delayed, survival decreases by 10 per cent.
“Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere, at any age, health or fitness level, and often without symptoms.”
Mr Anderson said the Call, Push and Shock phrase was a good way to remember how to act in an emergency.
“Our message is simple – you don’t need to be a paramedic to save a life, just remember to Call (Triple Zero 000), Push (perform CPR) and Shock (use an AED).”
Shocktober is also encouraging Victorians to learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills and sign up to be a GoodSAM responder.
“GoodSAM is a free mobile app that connects patients in cardiac arrest with a nearby volunteer who is willing to begin hands-only CPR while paramedics are on their way,” he said.
“There are currently more than 17,300 GoodSAM Responders across the state, but we need more.”
If you want to find out the closest AED to you, then you can check out the map at the link: goodsamapp.org/locatorMap
