Shocktober is Ambulance Victoria’s month-long campaign aimed at highlighting the importance of learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED).
Every day, around 21 Victorians suffer a cardiac arrest, with only one in 10 surviving. A cardiac arrest occurs when a person’s heart suddenly stops pumping blood effectively around the body.
For every minute that CPR is delayed, survival decreases by 10 per cent. But when a patient receives CPR and a shock from an AED before paramedics arrive, their chance of survival more than doubles.
Last week, Northern Health partnered with Pacific Epping and Ambulance Victoria to host a Restart a Heart Day event. The community was provided with hands-on training in CPR and AED use in a controlled, non-emergency setting for participants to develop these critical life-saving skills.
Elise Sutton, Resuscitation and Clinical Deterioration Coordinator and Simulation and Safety Coordinator at Northern Health, said the health service was pleased to once again collaborate with Pacific Epping and Ambulance Victoria to bring life-saving CPR and AED awareness to the community.
“We appreciate Pacific Epping’s commitment to share essential health messages and provide the public with the tools needed for emergencies,” Ms Sutton said.
James Tehan, Ambulance Victoria Acting Director of Regional and Clinical Operations, encouraged locals to learn CPR, learn how to use an AED, and know where their closest defibrillator is located.
“Shocktober is about giving Victorians who have a cardiac arrest a better chance of returning to their loved ones,” said Mr Tehan.
“CPR and defibrillation are critical. Every day, around 21 Victorians suffer the medical emergency but only one in 10 survive. For every minute CPR is delayed, survival decrease by 10 per cent.”
“Our message is simple – you don’t need to be a paramedic to save a life. Just remember to call Triple Zero (000), perform CPR and use an AED.”
Adam Phillips, Centre Manager of Pacific Epping, spoke about Pacific Epping’s dedication to community safety and its ongoing work with Northern Health.
“Being able to team up with Northern Health and Ambulance Victoria for this training is a real chance to help our community feel ready in an emergency, like a cardiac arrest,” said Mr Phillips.
To find out more about Shocktober, please visit https://www.ambulance.vic.gov.au/shocktober/.
Featured image: Northern Health and Ambulance Victoria at the Restart a Heart event at Pacific Epping last week.