Young Aria shares a lifesaving message
December 23, 2023in Community News
Students at Benton Junior College in Mornington now know how to help someone in cardiac arrest, thanks to a Call, Push, Shock session run by 11-year-old student, Aria Oakley.
After receiving a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) tutorial from an Ambulance Victoria (AV) Call, Push, Shock stall at a local community event, Aria wanted to share the lifesaving skills with those around her.
With help from her AV paramedic mum, Sarah Oakley, Aria taught CPR to almost 80 students and teachers at her school.
Aria said the session was well received by all those involved, with everyone actively practicing on the AV Call, Push, Shock kits.
“It felt good to know that lots of people I taught now know what to do if they find someone that needs help,” she said.
“I was surprised by how many people got inspired to do it with me and lots of people didn’t know to call Triple Zero (000) first if they find someone in need of help.
“Everyone had lots of questions and my mum came and helped me every step of the way.”
Sarah said she was incredibly proud to watch her daughter following in her footsteps.
“I watched her run an education session that was well informed, very interactive, fun and that delivered such an important message,” she said.
“The kids received it so well with loads of relevant questions presenting some great scenarios which really got the kids thinking what they would do in the event they needed help.
“They especially loved the squeaky hearts, which made for a rowdy afternoon.”
Cardiac arrest occurs when a person’s heart suddenly stops beating and can happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime.
Currently about 20 Victorians suffer a cardiac arrest each day and only one in 10 survive.
The minutes between a cardiac arrest occurring and paramedics arriving are an important time for bystanders to act, with CPR and use of an AED increasing the patient’s chance of survival by more than 70 per cent.
Sarah said Aria’s passion for health advocacy has only grown from this experience and she can’t wait to see what she does in the future.
