With Restart a Heart Day just around the corner, Ambulance Victoria is urging the south-west community to learn how to save a life with free online CPR sessions.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ambulance Victoria's Regional Director of Barwon South West Terry Marshall said paramedics are on mission to improve cardiac arrest survival rates after research revealed a 50 percent drop in survival during the first three months of COVID-19 restrictions.
"We've dubbed October Shocktober, and we're offering all Victorians a chance to learn basic CPR and how to use an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED)," Mr Marshall said.
"Registration is easy, free and it's something you can do with the family in the living room."
"Simply email your name and suburb to community.engagement@ambulance.vic.gov.au and we'll get back to you with the details of your online CPR event hosted by paramedics in your area."
Mr Marshall said the more Victorians know CPR, how to use an AED and where they are located in the community, the more lives will be saved.
"Every day, the hearts of around 18 Victorians will stop beating due to cardiac arrest, and only 1 in 10 of those people will survive," he said.
"The sooner someone receives CPR and defibrillation, the better their chances of survival.
"The chain of survival is simple - Call, Push, Shock. CALL Triple Zero (000), PUSH hard and fast on the middle of the chest, and SHOCK using an AED."
The class is at 7pm on October 15.
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.