THIS Shocktober, Ambulance Victoria (AV) is urging residents to learn or refresh their CPR skills and possibly save a life.
October marks the fourth year of the nationally recognised Shocktober campaign aimed at improving cardiac arrest survival rates.
While Victoria has the best cardiac survival rates in Australia, and among the best in the world, 20 Victorians suffer from the medical emergency every day but only one in 10 survives.
Ambulance Victoria medical director Associate Professor David Anderson said it was essential to know CPR, how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED) and where the closest defibrillator was located.
“Shocktober is about giving more Victorians who suffer a cardiac arrest a better chance of returning to their loved ones,” Associate Professor Anderson said.
“CPR and defibrillation are critical – 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.”
AV Loddon Mallee director regional and clinical operations Matt McCrohan said anyone co make a life-changing difference.
“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),” he said.
Mr McCrohan also encouraged the community to sign up to be a GoodSAM Responder.
GoodSAM is a mobile app that connects patients in cardiac arrest with a nearby volunteer who is willing to start hands-only CPR while paramedics are on their way.
So far it has saved more than 55 lives.
There are currently about 12,000 GoodSAM Responders across the state but more are needed.
For information about Shocktober, the GoodSAM app and how to learn CPR and use an AED (defib), visit ambulance.vic.gov.au/shocktober
