Ambulance Victoria (AV) is encouraging Brimbank locals to learn or refresh their cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills at a free ‘call, push, shock’ session on Saturday, 18 October at Watergardens Shopping Centre.
This October marks the sixth year of AV’s state-wide ‘shocktober’ campaign, which is dedicated to improving cardiac arrest survival rates.
AV acting director of regional and clinical operations James Tehan said ‘shocktober’ is about giving Victorians who have a cardiac arrest a better chance of returning to their loved ones.
“CPR and defibrillation are critical. Every day, around 21 Victorians suffer the medical emergency but only one in ten survive. For every minute CPR is delayed, survival decreases by 10 per cent,” Mr Tehan said.
“Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere, at any age, health or fitness level, and often without symptoms.
“Our message is simple – you don’t need to be a paramedic to save a life, just remember to call triple-0, push (perform CPR) and shock using an AED (automated external defibrillator).”
Mr Tehan also encouraged locals to sign up to be a GoodSAM responder.
“GoodSAM is a mobile app that connects patients in cardiac arrest with nearby volunteers willing to perform hands-only CPR until paramedics arrive.
The session will run from 9am.
Details: ambulance.vic.gov.au/shocktober
