Friday, 2 August 2024

Defibrillator Installation at Ouyen

Ouyen has made significant strides in increasing access to life-saving care by installing its fourth 24/7 publicly accessible automated external defibrillator (AED) at the Ouyen Men’s Shed (26 Rowe Street, Ouyen).

“Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere,” said Ambulance Victoria (AV) Acting Mildura Paramedic Community Support Coordinator, Jacob McEwan. “About 20 Victorians suffer a cardiac arrest every day, and sadly, only one in 10 survive. However, when a patient receives CPR and a shock from an AED before paramedics arrive, their chance of survival more than doubles.”

The new AED, funded by the volunteer group Heartbeat Sunraysia, joins 11 other AEDs in the Mildura LGA, with four accessible 24/7. Heartbeat Sunraysia has funded about a dozen AEDs across the region and donates funds for various medical equipment to support AV and local hospitals.

Jacob urged the community to ensure all defibrillators are registered with AV to help call takers direct bystanders and First Responders during emergencies. To register a defibrillator, visit the ‘Register My AED’ website. He also encouraged locals to sign up for the GoodSAM app, which connects those willing to perform CPR with individuals in cardiac arrest in the crucial minutes before paramedics arrive. The app can also be used to locate the nearest publicly accessible AED and see the hours it is available.

“AEDs are safe, easy to use, and will not deliver a shock unless necessary. Simply open it and follow the instructions,” Jacob added. “Every minute matters during a cardiac arrest, so having more AEDs around town means bystanders and First Responders can get to them quicker during a medical emergency.”