Become a lifesaver this ‘Shocktober’

Ambulance Victoria (AV) is urging regional Victorians to refresh their CPR skills this month, and sign up to be a GoodSAM responder, as it launches this year’s ‘Shocktober’ campaign.

Now in its third year, AV’s Shocktober is a nationally recognised campaign aimed at improving cardiac arrest survival rates.

One way everyday Victorians can help save lives is by using the GoodSAM app, which alerts volunteers to nearby patients in cardiac arrest, so volunteers can perform hands-on CPR while an ambulance is on the way.

Around 19 Victorians a day suffer cardiac arrest, but only 1 in 10 survive.

“This is why, this month we want as many people as possible to learn basic CPR and to become one of AV’s GoodSAM Responders,” AV’s Grampians Regional Director, Chris James, said.

“Pre-hospital care in Victoria is world class, but it all starts when a bystander steps in and starts compressions. While bystanders alone will never replace an ambulance service, equipping people with skills to start the chain of survival; starting chest compressions or CPR and using an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) saves lives.

“Anyone can save a life in three simple steps. Call, Push, Shock: Call Triple Zero (000), Push hard and fast on the middle of the chest, and Shock using an AED.”

Two of Victoria’s highest frequency responders – Maryborough sisters Jess and Gabby – signed up to the GoodSAM program in 2018, and are encouraging all Victorians to sign up and help save a life.

Jess is a midwife at Ballarat Hospital, while Gabby works in critical care at Bendigo Hospital and Monash University, teaching clinical skills and simulation to medical students.

“Our family has a strong history of cardiac-related health issues, which is what prompted us to sign up to GoodSAM,” Gabby said.

“While at work one day, our mum survived a cardiac arrest at the age of 46; we know the value of bystander intervention when someone goes into cardiac arrest and how it has the potential to save lives.”

“Wanting to give cardiac arrest patients the best chance of survival is what inspired me to sign up to the Smartphone Activated Medic App,” Jess added.

“I would encourage all the locals and every regional Victorian town – to sign up to the app, because you could save someone’s life – by providing effective compressions while an ambulance is on the way to the job, it gives the patient the chance to survive that they otherwise might not have had.”

For more information on the Shocktober campaign, visit www.ambulance.vic.gov.au/shocktober/.