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Victoria’s north-west to benefit from nine new heart-starters

September 10, 2024 | in Community News

Ouyen, Patchewollock and surrounding communities in the state’s north-west are now better equipped to take action if someone suffers a cardiac arrest, after a generous equipment donation from the region’s ambulance auxiliary.

The Ouyen Patchewollock Ambulance Auxiliary has donated nine new automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to local community groups.

AEDs are automated devices used to attempt to shock the heart back into rhythm following a cardiac arrest and can be used by anyone – simply open it and follow the instructions.

Two smiling women standing in front of a general store holding an AED.

The Patchewollock Community Store’s Julie Barnard and Ouyen Patchewollock Ambulance Auxiliary President Natasha Anderson with one of the new AEDs.

Cardiac arrest is when a person’s heart suddenly stops beating and it can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere.

Ambulance Victoria (AV) Mildura Paramedic Community Support Coordinator Jacob McEwan said every minute counts and it’s important community members know how to help.

“About 20 Victorians suffer a cardiac arrest every day and sadly only one in 10 survive,” he said.

“When a patient receives CPR and a shock from an AED before paramedics arrive, their chance of survival more than doubles.

“Last year, a record 139 cardiac arrest patients in Victoria had a shock delivered from a public AED.

“Every additional AED in our communities means local cardiac arrest patients will have quicker access to life-saving care.”

AEDs were donated to the Patchewollock Bush Nursing Centre, Speed Lions Club, Ouyen Bowling Club, Ouyen Inc, Ouyen Cemetery Trust and the Underbool Progress Association.

All the new devices are available for the public to access and use in a medical emergency 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

A man and a woman holding an AED.

Ouyen Patchewollock Ambulance Auxiliary Treasurer Tracy Coffey and Ouyen Cemetery Trust President Linton Hahnel with one of the new AEDs.

Jacob encouraged locals to check where their nearest AED is located, through AV’s AED registry.

“AEDs are safe and easy to use – they do not require training and will not deliver a shock unless it is necessary,” he said.

“More than 13,000 AEDs are currently registered with Ambulance Victoria.

“We encourage all businesses, shop owners and sports clubs to ensure their AEDs are registered with up-to-date details, so Triple Zero (000) call-takers can direct people to them in an emergency.”

The new AEDs donated by the Ouyen Patchewollock Ambulance Auxiliary are located at:

  • Patchewollock Community Store, 58 Federation St, Patchewollock
  • O’Sullivan’s Pine Plains Lodge, Patchewollock/Big Desert
  • Speed Police Station, 10 Carter St, Speed
  • Ouyen Bowls Club (Outdoor BBQ Area), 2 Calder Hwy, Ouyen
  • Ouyen Mallee Bakery (Outdoor Eating Area), 28 Oke St, Ouyen
  • Poole’s Home Hardware, 51 Oke St, Ouyen
  • Ouyen Lake, Ouyen
  • Ouyen Cemetery, 148 Dunkley Rd, Ouyen
  • Mallee Track Bush Nursing Centre, 34-36 Monash Ave, Underbool

An AED cabinet was also donated to the Nandaly Tennis Club (Messines St, Nandaly) to allow their existing heart-starter to be available 24/7.

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