It’s “shocktober” this month, and Ambulance Victoria are encouraging Victorians to know the location of their nearest automated external defibrillators (AEDs).
AEDs are automated devices that are used during a cardiac arrest to shock the patient’s heart back into normal function and there are many stationed around the Upper Yarra for the public to access in an emergency.
They are designed to be used by anyone regardless of medical training as they provide simple, step-by-step instructions.
In Lilydale, there are five AEDs in the heart of the town – these are located at the Yarra Ranges Council Civic Centre, Eastern Health’s Market Street location, Coles Supermarket, the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum on Castella Street and the Lilydale Community House, which is mounted outside for accessibility.
Please note, the accessibility of some AEDs are limited to opening hours of its location, so be sure to check if the place is still open.
Jellis Craig and Coles Mooroolbark both have AEDs located inside, while Mooroolbark Police Station has an accessible defib at the entryway into the station.
In Chirnside Park, both Woolworths and Coles have defibs available, the Chirnside Park Primary School also has a defib on hand, available 7.30am-6.00pm Monday to Friday.
Defibs can also been found at the Chirnside CFA Station to the right of the engine bay doors and at Puttz Mini Golf.
Only one defib can be found in Sylvan at the Sylvan Glades Retirement Village, while in Kilsyth, the Dan Murphys, Woolworths and Curves Kilsyth have AEDs on hand.
October marks the sixth year of the campaign and aims to increase cardiac arrest survival rates across Victoria.
Ambulance Victoria’s latest data showed that Victoria has the best cardiac survival rates in Australia, and the third best anywhere in the world.
Ambulance Victoria medical director associate professor David Anderson said it is essential to know CPR, how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and where your closest defibrillator is located.
“Shocktober is about giving more Victorians who suffer a cardiac arrest a better chance of returning to their loved ones,” he said.
“We are urging the community to refresh their knowledge about CPR and how to use a defibrillator. For every minute CPR is delayed, survival decreases by 10 per cent.
“Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere, at any age, health or fitness level, and often without symptoms.”
Croydon has a few AED locations too, these are: Croydon Coles, David Hodgett MP’s office (from 9am-5pm Monday to Friday), Croydon Senior Football Club in the clubrooms, at the Croydon Police Station inside the watch house and Woolworths also has one on hand.
Meanwhile, Montrose is home to only two defibs – at the Yarra Ranges Council Montrose Town Centre, to the right of the reception desk (available 9am-5pm Monday to Friday and 10am-1pm Saturday) and Montrose CFA station.
Mount Evelyn’s Tennis Club has one inside its clubrooms, the Mt Evelyn Pharmacy has one too to the right of the front door. Defibs can also be found at the Supa IGA behind the front counter and at Bowen and Pomeroy PTY LTD.
Mr Anderson said the Call, Push and Shock phrase was a good way to remember how to act in an emergency.
“Our message is simple – you don’t need to be a paramedic to save a life, just remember to Call (Triple Zero 000), Push (perform CPR) and Shock (use an AED).”
Shocktober is also encouraging Victorians to learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills and sign up to be a GoodSAM responder.
“GoodSAM is a free mobile app that connects patients in cardiac arrest with a nearby volunteer who is willing to begin hands-only CPR while paramedics are on their way,” he said.
“There are currently more than 17,300 GoodSAM Responders across the state, but we need more.”
AV will run the below Call, Push, Shock sessions during Shocktober and locals are encouraged to attend.
A Emerald Safety Expo will take place at the Hills Hub in Emerald on Saturday 11 October at 1pm, while another event, the Lilydale Lights and Sirens – Community Helpers, takes place at Lilydale Lake, Swansea Road, on Sunday 19 October, at 9.30am.
If you want to find out the closest AED to you, then you can check out the map at the link: goodsamapp.org/locatorMap
