Shocktober is Ambulance Victoria’s month-long campaign aimed at highlighting the importance of learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED).

Every day around 21 Victorians suffer a cardiac arrest, with only one in 10 surviving. A cardiac arrest occurs when a person’s heart suddenly stops pumping blood effectively around the body.

For every minute that cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is delayed, survival decreases by 10 per cent. But when a patient receives CPR and a shock from an automated external defibrillator (AED) before paramedics arrive, their chance of survival more than doubles.

Restart a Heart Day, held on 16 October, is part of Ambulance Victoria’s Shocktober campaign and is a global initiative to raise awareness and educate the community about learning CPR and how to use an AED.

In partnership with Northern Health and Ambulance Victoria, Pacific Epping last week hosted a Restart a Heart Day event at the Pacific Epping Connect Hub. The event aimed to increase community awareness of CPR and AED use through practical learning opportunities, demonstrations and interactive activities.

Liz Ward, Resuscitation Coordinator at Northern Health, said the health service was delighted to continue its partnership with Pacific Epping and Ambulance Victoria to promote CPR and AED awareness across the community.

“By working together, we can help more people recognise the signs of a cardiac arrest and feel confident to take action when every second counts,” said Ms Ward.

“We thank Pacific Epping for providing an accessible community space to share these important life-saving skills and messages.”

Katie Cornelius, Ambulance Victoria Metropolitan Operations Community Engagement Liaison Coordinator, said Shocktober is about empowering Victorians to take action when they see someone in cardiac arrest.

“Held each October, Shocktober aims to highlight the importance of learning CPR and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED), with Ambulance Victoria’s key message being to give every heart a chance,” said Ms Cornelius.

“We want the community to know that they can make a lifesaving difference by following these simple steps: Call (call Triple Zero 000), Push, (push hard and fast on the middle of the chest to perform CPR), and Shock (use an AED).”

“When anyone is in cardiac arrest, don’t hesitate. Bystander intervention has the greatest impact on improving someone’s chance of surviving a cardiac arrest – you don’t need to be a paramedic to save a life.”

Matthew Vasilevski, Operations Manager, Pacific Epping, spoke about Pacific Epping’s dedication to community safety.

“We are committed to creating a safe environment where our retailers, staff, and customers feel informed, prepared, and supported so we can all play a part in responding effectively when it matters most,” said Mr Vasilevski.

For more information about Ambulance Victoria’s Shocktober campaign, visit www.ambulance.vic.gov.au/shocktober.

Featured image: Matthew Vasilevski, Operations Manager, Pacific Epping, Jess Parsell (heart costume), Clinical Nurse Educator, Northern Health, Liz Ward, Resuscitation Coordinator, Northern Health, and Ross Manning, MICA Paramedic, Senior Team Manager.