The Heart Safe Community program was launched in 2019 and aims to improve survival rates for people suffering cardiac arrest by teaching locals how to perform CPR and use an automated external defibrillator.
It is a joint initiative between Ambulance Victoria and the Heart Foundation.
AV Loddon Mallee community engagement liaison co-ordinator Ben Miller said the program in Stanhope had empowered the region.
“Cardiac arrest occurs when a person’s heart suddenly stops beating and can happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime,” Mr Miller said.
“Starting chest compressions and early application of an AED is crucial to give a cardiac arrest patient the best chance of survival.
“The Heart Safe Communities initiative helps community members feel confident to take action in someone’s time of need.”
Mr Miller said bystander CPR and the use of an AED increased a patient’s chance of survival by more than 70 per cent.
“Currently about 20 Victorians suffer a cardiac arrest each day and only one in 10 survive,” he said.
“The minutes between a cardiac arrest occurring and paramedics arriving are an important time for bystanders to act.
“Anyone can save a life in three simple steps. Call, push, shock: Call 000, push hard, push fast on the middle of the chest, shock using an AED.”
In Stanhope, 200 community members have been engaged through the Heart Safe Communities program, with increases in the number of registered public AEDs and active GoodSAM responders throughout the year.
There will be a further boost for the town in the coming months, with AV to donate an additional AED.
Current registered 24/7 AEDs in Stanhope are located at:
• Hairzone Hairdressers, 8 Birdwood Ave, Stanhope
• Stanhope Health, 35 Birdwood Ave, Stanhope
• Fonterra, 20 Midland Hwy, Stanhope
• Stanhope Fire Station, 77 Midland Hwy, Stanhope
The Heart Safe Communities program has seen statewide improvements:
• Average GoodSAM Responder availability increased by 18 people per day.
• Registered public AEDs increased by 21 (10 of these are 24/7 accessible).
• More than 112 community education sessions were held in Heart Safe Communities, with 2458 community members engaged.
Stanhope joins Dunolly, Coleraine, Lismore, Longwarry, Yallourn North, Trentham, Hopetoun, Chiltern, Violet Town and Kinglake as the newest Heart Safe Communities in Victoria. There are now 29 across the state.
In August, 12 new towns commenced the program: Warracknabeal, St Arnaud, Heywood, Winchelsea, Meeniyan, Metung, Monbulk, Bulla, Heathcote, Lake Boga, Tallangatta and Nathalia.
For further information on the Heart Safe Community program and how locations are selected, visit www.ambulance.vic.gov.au/community/community-partnerships/heartsafe-communities/
For more information on GoodSAM and to sign up, visit www.ambulance.vic.gov.au/goodsam
In an emergency call 000.
Ambulance membership: 1800 64 84 84.
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