UPDATE: Ambulance Victoria (AV) is urging Sunbury residents to take immediate action by learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and signing up as GoodSAM responders during the upcoming Shocktober campaign. This vital initiative aims to enhance survival rates for cardiac arrest victims across the state.
On Saturday, October 11, AV will host a Call, Push, Shock session at the Sunbury Show, emphasizing the importance of CPR and the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). According to AV’s acting director of regional and clinical operations, James Tehan, “Shocktober is about giving Victorians who have a cardiac arrest a better chance of returning to their loved ones.” This year marks the sixth anniversary of the campaign.
Cardiac arrest can strike anyone, anytime, and it often occurs without warning. Currently, nearly 21 Victorians experience this medical emergency daily, yet only one in ten survive. Mr. Tehan highlights the urgency: “For every minute CPR is delayed, survival decreases by 10 percent.” With immediate action, lives can be saved.
The message is clear: You don’t need to be a paramedic to make a difference. Remember to Call (Triple 000), Push (perform CPR), and Shock (use an AED) to potentially save a life. In addition to learning CPR, residents are encouraged to download the GoodSAM app, which connects cardiac arrest victims with nearby volunteers ready to provide hands-only CPR before emergency services arrive.
There are currently over 17,300 GoodSAM responders across Victoria, but more are urgently needed. Last year, AV paramedics and first responders attended to 7,545 cardiac arrest cases. Victoria boasts the highest cardiac survival rates in Australia and ranks third worldwide, reflecting the effectiveness of community engagement in these lifesaving efforts.
Join the fight to improve survival rates by participating in the Call, Push, Shock session at the Sunbury Show. For more information on Shocktober, how to become a GoodSAM responder, and CPR training resources, visit ambulance.vic.gov.au/shocktober.
Act now. Your actions today can save a life tomorrow.
