General News
26 October, 2024
Residents now better equip to save lives
Community members in Warracknabeal are now better equip to save lives, after close to 400 residents completed their automated external defibrillator (AED) training.
Along with these newly trained members, Ambulance Victoria and the Heart Foundation combined to supply 11 new AEDs, 10 of which are accessible 24/7 by the public, and signed up six new active GoodSAM responders in the town.
The Heart Safe Community program aims to improve cardiac arrest rates of survival but working with communities to raise awareness and teach residents how to preform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use an AED, promote GoodSAM and install new AEDs.
GoodSAM is a lifesaving app on downloadable on phones that connects Victorians in cardiac arrest with community members who are willing to start CPR in the critical minutes before paramedics arrive.
AV Acting Regional Director Grampians Aliesha Robertson congratulated everyone involved in raising awareness in Warracknabeal over the last year, and announced Dimboola and Halls Gap will be taking on the program for 2024-25.
“Minutes matter in a cardiac arrest and I’m so pleased these communities are now in a better position to save more lives, understanding the importance of bystander intervention and calling Triple Zero (000) immediately,” she said.
“Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere and at any time.
“We’re eager to work with Dimboola and Halls Gap residents to empower them to take action in someone’s time of need.”
Every day, around 21 Victorians have a cardiac arrest and only one in 10 survive.
Bystander CPR and use of an AED more than doubles a patient’s chance of survival.
“The minutes between a cardiac arrest occurring and paramedics arriving are an important time for bystanders to act,” Ms Robertson said.
“Anyone can save a life – just call Triple Zero (000), push hard and fast on the middle of the chest, and shock using an AED.”
To learn more about Heart Safe Communities, visit www.ambulance.vic.gov.au/community/community-partnerships/heart-safe-communities, and for more information about Shocktober visit www.ambulance.vic.gov.au/shocktober.
Consider signing up as a GoodSAM responder by visitingwww.goodsamapp.org/AV or by downloading the GoodSAM app.