Life-saving device installed

A RURAL town in Moorabool’s west has received its first registered defibrillator, in a major boost for health and safety.

An automated external defibrillator (AED) was installed at the Mt Egerton Mechanics Hall on Saturday 4 May, for the community’s use in the event of an emergency.

Presented by Ambulance Victoria, locals were shown how to use the AED, which can shock a patient’s heart back into normal function after they enter cardiac arrest.

CFA members, and Moorabool Shire Councillors Mayor Cr Ally Munari and West Moorabool Ward Cr Tom Sullivan were also in attendance.

Clunes Ambulance Community Officer (ACO) Brodie Ogluszko said it was an important achievement for the local community to have its first registered AED.

“Mt Egerton previously didn’t have any registered AEDs, so now having one that is also accessible 24/7 means that the community is better prepared in the event of an emergency,” he said.

“It’s important to have a registered AED available for health emergencies, so the Triple Zero (000) call-taker can advise bystanders where an AED, is and encourage them to use it while an ambulance is on the way.”

Every minute is crucial in whether someone undergoing cardiac arrest survives.

When a patient receives CPR and a shock from an AED before paramedics arrive, their chance of survival more than doubles.

“A lot of the people I spoke to said they didn’t know how to do CPR or use an AED, but after the lesson they felt confident they would be able to help in an emergency,” ACO Ogluszko said.

“We also talked about the life-saving GoodSAM app, which many people didn’t know about.”

The GoodSAM app is a life-saving smartphone app that connects Victorians in cardiac arrest with members of the community who are willing to start CPR in the critical minutes before paramedics arrive.

“Anyone who knows hands-only CPR can save a life by becoming a GoodSAM Responder today,” Brodie said.

“You don’t have to be first aid qualified or have a medical background, you just need to be willing and able to do hands-only CPR, be over 18 years of age and have access to a smartphone.”

Ambulance Community Officers (ACOs) are first responders employed on a casual basis to provide advanced first aid in remote communities where the caseload is low, and the branch is not staffed full-time.

ACOs have life-saving skills that they develop and maintain every year.

Registered AEDs in Mt Egerton, and across Victoria, can be found at registermyaed.ambulance.vic.gov.au.