By Callum Ludwig
Paramedics do everything in their power to race to the scene of a medical emergency, but any bit of help from the public on the scene can make a crucial difference, especially in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest.
In a step to help save local lives, a new publicly accessible AED (automated external defibrillator) has been installed by the Woori Yallock and District (WYD) Bendigo Bank.
Team Manager at the Yarra Junction Ambulance Station Lars Reisinger said it’s really nice to see the Bendigo Bank giving back to the community in a way that could be life-saving.
“With cardiac arrest, it’s a matter of minutes that make the difference. Even though Ambulance Victoria will still be attending all these cases, having it available to shortcut that period of time is benefiting all members of the local community,” he said.
“If someone can get the defib and an electric shock to that patient in conjunction with compressions, there is much more likely to be a good outcome for that patient than doing nothing at all.”
Reacting under pressure in an emergency scenario can be difficult and stressful, but encouraging publically available AEDs and opportunities for residents to learn how to use them are vital initiatives of Ambulance Victoria. Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation is no longer an expectation for residents responding, with applying a defibrillator and chest compressions the best way to respond immediately.
Mr Reisinger said Ambulance Victoria wants to bridge the gap to try and increase the amount of people that are confident in applying an AED and doing CPR.
“There’s an app we urge people to download called GoodSAM, which allows the general public to be involved in emergency cases, where they’ll get a notification that there’s a cardiac arrest in their local area,” he said.
“It will provide an overlay from where their phone is at that point in time and direct them to a local AED accessible 24 hours a day.”
An AED’s computer analyses a heart’s rhythm, determining whether defibrillation is needed when someone is suffering a cardiac arrest. A recorded voice cue then prompts the user to deliver a shock, which stuns the heart and stops all activity, giving it a chance to return to its normal rhythm. Even if unsuccessful, the AEd will download information that can be provided to give to treating clinicians at a hospital to provide details about the patient’s condition at the time of the event.
Branch Manager at Woori Yallock and District Bendigo Bank and CFA volunteer of over 20 years Justin Hall said he hopes to see a continued rollout of this program in the local area.
“The Woori Yallock and District Bendigo Bank is proud to be getting this out to the community and it’s going to make a quite massive contribution to improving the survival rate, particularly of our more rural townships that aren’t always close by,” he said.
“Being able to support people in the worst moments of their life makes a huge difference, whether that is our local firies responding or just good Samaritans in the community.”
AEDs are intended for use by any person, but formal training can also help you to feel more confident and comfortable if you need to use an AED.
