Community
9 October, 2024
Ambulance Victoria launches life-saving campaign
AMBULANCE Victoria (AV) has launched its life-saving annual campaign Shocktober.
Shocktober calls on the wider community to learn the three simple steps to improve cardiac arrest survival rates – Call, Push, Shock.
Around 21 Victorians suffer a cardiac arrest every day and only one in 10 survive, which is why it is crucial people know what to do.
Bystander intervention has the greatest impact on improving someone’s chance of surviving a cardiac arrest – for every minute that CPR is delayed, survival decreases by 10 per cent.
Shocktober is a month-long cardiac arrest awareness campaign to highlight the importance of learning CPR and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED).
AV acting regional director Barwon South West Jess McGowan said you do not have to be a paramedic to be a life saver – it’s as easy as calling Triple Zero (000), pushing hard and fast in the middle of the person’s chest and if available, using an AED to deliver a shock.
“Every minute matters in a cardiac arrest and when a patient received CPR and a shock before paramedics arrive, their chance of survival more than doubles,” she said.
“Last year, paramedics responded to a record 7830 cardiac arrest patients but there was also a record amount of bystander intervention.
“Anyone can perform CPR and use an AED – you don’t need training or to be qualified.
“If someone is in cardiac arrest and an AED is available, simply open it and follow the verbal instructions.”
Ms McGowan said while Victoria has the best cardiac arrest survival rates in Australia, there was more to be done.
“I encourage everyone to sign up as a GoodSAM responder – it’s a smartphone app that connects patients in cardiac arrest with members of the community who are willing to start CPR in the critical minutes before paramedics arrive,” she said.
“We have around 16,000 GoodSAM responders across the state, but we always need more.
“You don’t have to be first aid qualified, you just have to be willing to perform hands-only CPR and be over 18.
“Last Shocktober, we saw more than 600 people sign up as GoodSAM responders, so this October, please join the cause and register.”
Businesses, shop owners and clubs are also encouraged to ensure their AEDs are registered with the AV website and made publicly accessible, so 000 call takers can direct people to it in an emergency.
Currently, more than 13,000 AEDs are registered with AV across Victoria.
For more information about Shocktober, the GoodSAM app and how to perform CPR and use an AED visit www.ambulance.vic.gov.au/shocktober.
Read More: local