French Island better equipped to restart a heart
August 21, 2024in Community News
The French Island community has welcomed a new life-saving device, to boost the chance of survival for anyone suffering a cardiac arrest on the island.
A brand new publicly accessible automated external defibrillator (AED) has been installed at French Island’s Fairhaven campsite, which is managed by Parks Victoria and is a popular tourist destination.
AEDs are used to attempt to shock the heart back into rhythm following a cardiac arrest – which is when a person’s heart suddenly stops beating.
AV Senior Team Manager Stuart Hine (right) presenting the new AED and cabinet to Ranger Team Leader Rachael Ferguson at the Fairhaven campsite.
Ambulance Victoria (AV) Senior Team Manager Stuart Hine said the AED would make a big difference in an emergency.
“Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere,” he said.
“About 20 Victorians suffer a cardiac arrest every day and only one in 10 survive.
“Minutes matter and when a patient receives CPR and a shock from an AED before paramedics arrive, their chance of survival more than doubles.
“This AED will help strengthen the resilience of the French Island community should a cardiac arrest occur on the island.”
The new AED has been gifted along with a cabinet to store the heart-starting device in.
French Island was chosen to receive the AED and cabinet by Sarah Wren, who won an AV public competition after signing up to the GoodSAM app.
GoodSAM is a life-saving smartphone app that connects Victorians in cardiac arrest with members of the community who are willing to start CPR in the critical minutes before paramedics arrive.
Sarah, who lives in Hastings, said it was important to her to choose somewhere local to install the new heart-starter.
“Most places quite close to me already had an AED so someone recommended French Island as somewhere local that would benefit,” she said.
“Being an island, I think it’s very important they have enough resources to get the healthcare they need.”
Sarah said she hopes the new AED makes an impact in case of a medical emergency.
“I’m pleased it can go to a community that is isolated from the mainland and that sees a lot of tourists,” she said.
“I hope it saves lives.”
An AED cabinet was also donated to the French Island Cricket Club earlier this year, to help protect and preserve their existing AED.
AV Senior Team Manager Stuart Hine with the installed AED.
Mr Hine said locals and visitors to French Island should feel confident to use the AEDs in an emergency, regardless of whether they had received training to do so.
“AEDs are safe and easy to use and will not deliver a shock unless it is necessary,” he said.
“If someone is in cardiac arrest and an AED is available, simply open it and follow the instructions.”
Mr Hine urged the community to make sure all AEDs are registered with AV, so Triple Zero (000) call-takers can direct people to them in a medical emergency.
Registered AEDs on French Island and across Victoria can be located here.
Mr Hine also encouraged people to follow in Sarah’s footsteps and sign up to the GoodSAM app.
“Anyone who knows hands-only CPR can save a life by becoming a GoodSAM Responder today,” he said.
“You don’t have to be first-aid qualified or have a medical background, you just need to be willing and able to do hands-only CPR, be over 18 years of age and have access to a smartphone.”
L-R: AV’s Hastings Team Manager Bruno Bageun, Senior Team Manager Stuart Hine and Emergency Management Planning Coordinator Jarrod Foote presenting the new AED to the French Island Community Association’s Terry Martin and former secretary Linda Bowen.