Corryong receives lifesaving gift
January 29, 2025in Community News
Corryong is better equipped to help people in cardiac arrest after a publicly accessible automated external defibrillator (AEDs) was donated as part of the town’s Heart Safe Community program.
The new 24/7 AED is located on the outside wall at the Corryong Caravan Park at 1516 Murray Valley Highway, Corryong.
Ambulance Victoria (AV) Ambulance Community Officer (ACO) and Corryong Heart Safe Community Program Lead, Lisa Pilli, said the donation provided an important health boost for the town.
“Defibrillators are used to shock the heart back into rhythm following a cardiac arrest, which is when a person’s heart suddenly stops beating,” she said.
“When a patient in cardiac arrest receives CPR and a shock from an AED before paramedics arrive, their chance of survival more than doubles.
“This 24 hour publicly accessible defib will fill a need in this part of town.
“The caravan park is a great choice to house the device as it’s well-lit and staffed around the clock, making it easy to locate at all hours.”
Ms Pilli said anyone could use an AED regardless of whether they had received training.
“If someone is in cardiac arrest and an AED is available, simply open it and follow the instructions,” she said.
“They are safe and easy to use, and will not deliver a shock unless necessary.”
Corryong now has six registered 24/7 publicly accessible defibrillators, but Ms Pilli said we always need more.
“It would be fantastic to see more AEDs accessible 24/7 and be registered with AV to ensure Triple Zero (000) call-takers can direct people to them in an emergency,” she said.
ACO Lisa Pilli and Corryong Caravan Park Manager Marie Barr.
The Heart Safe Communities program is a year-long, joint initiative between AV and the Heart Foundation, which equips communities across the state with the skills to take life-saving action when someone is in cardiac arrest.
It aims to give locals the confidence to save a life by using three simple steps: Call (call Triple Zero 000), Push (perform CPR) and Shock (use an AED).
There are 42 Heart Safe Communities across the state, and Corryong is one of 12 towns currently completing the program.
Heart Foundation Victorian General Manager Chris Enright said the partnership with AV continues to help raise awareness and teach people what to do in cardiac arrest.
“We know how effective our Heart Safe Community program can be and how important it is for the local community to drive it to embed change at a grassroots level,” she said.
“Ultimately, we hope every Victorian community can be ‘Heart Safe’.”
Locals will have the chance to learn Call, Push, Shock at the AV stand at The Upper Murray Farmers Market Emergency Services Display on 8 February.
From 8am-12pm the public is encouraged to attend the Attree Centre (59 Hanson Street, Corryong) to learn lifesaving skills and get to know the local first responders.
“The event is a fantastic way for us to meet the community while also letting them know about alternative care,” Ms Pilli said.
“As well as holding Call, Push, Shock sessions, we’ll be encouraging people to sign up to the GoodSAM app which connects people in cardiac arrest with members of the community willing to start CPR before paramedics arrive.
“We’ll also be promoting the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED), a video-based health care service that provides free, 24/7 urgent medical assistance in your own home.”
A list of registered AED’s in Corryong can be found on the Register My AED website.