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Every year, around 30,000 Australians and New Zealanders will suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and every minute a patient is in cardiac arrest, not receiving CPR or Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) shocks, the chances of survival drop by 10%.
Today is Restart a Heart Day – a global initiative to raise awareness and educate the community about CPR, AEDs and cardiac arrest.
Ambulance Tasmania Chief Executive, Jordan Emery, said this is an important time to remember the three key steps – Call, Push and Shock.
“If you are with someone who you suspect is in cardiac arrest, call Triple Zero (000) immediately, push by beginning CPR compressions, and shock by using an AED if one is available.
“The Tasmanian government has funded the delivery of 180 AEDs across Tasmania through the Community AED Fund in the past two years to increase access for community members to these vital life-saving machines,” Mr Emery said.
After 10 minutes without intervention, the damage caused by cardiac arrest is nearly irreversible, so action is key.
“CPR is performing chest compressions at the beat of 120/minute and is designed to push the blood around the body and towards their brain.
“An AED will shock the heart back to a working rhythm – the equipment is designed for ease of use by members of the public even if they have never used one before. Each unit comes with instructions on how to apply and use it with complete safety.
“Always call Triple Zero (000) in an emergency and remember – Call, Push, Shock,” Mr Emery said.
Find an AED near you by searching the map of Tasmania’s AED locations: Locating defibrillators (AEDs) in Tasmania | Tasmanian Department of Health.
Pictured: Ambulance Tasmania Chief Executive Jordan Emery and Ambulance Tasmania Executive Medical Director, Erica Kreismann.
