HAMILTON locals have been urged to help boost cardiac arrest survival rates, by learning Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and ensuring local Automated External Defibrillators (AED) are registered with Ambulance Victoria (AV).

Cardiac arrest is one of the country’s biggest killers, claiming 19 Victorian lives every day.

Ambulance Victoria Hamilton acting team manager, Chris Walker, said locals can make a real difference and help paramedics save lives.

“We know that when it comes to cardiac arrest, minutes matter, and when someone receives CPR and a shock from an AED before paramedics arrive, their chance of surviving improves by more than 70 per cent,” he said.

“We want as many people as possible to learn CPR, and for community groups, sporting clubs and businesses in the Hamilton region to make sure their AEDs are publicly accessible and are registered with Ambulance Victoria.

“By having an AED registered with AV, this allows Triple Zero (000) call-takers to direct people to the device in a medical emergency.

“We are lucky to have a large number of AEDs in this area, however we’d like to see more of these registered so we can tell people where to find them when they’re most needed.

“We’d also encourage you to have your AED installed in a location that can be accessed 24 hours a day, for example on the outside of a building.”

Cardiac arrest happens when a person’s heart suddenly stops beating and stops pumping blood effectively around the body; it can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere.

An AED is used to deliver a shock to help restore normal heart rhythm following a cardiac arrest.

Mr Walker said anyone could use an AED, regardless of whether they had received training to do so.

“If someone is in cardiac arrest and an AED is available, simply open it and follow the machine’s verbal instructions,” he said.

“They are safe and easy to use and will not deliver a shock unless it is necessary.”

To register an AED with Ambulance Victoria, visit ambulance.vic.gov.au/register.

Community groups interested in learning more about CPR and AEDs can contact local paramedics to arrange a “Call Push Shock” session by emailing BarwonSouthWestRegion.OCELCoordinator@ambulance.vic.gov.au

For CPR demonstrations and to find out about the GoodSAM Responder smartphone app, visit heartrestarter.com.au.