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Shocktober is a month-long campaign to highlight the importance of learning CPR and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED).

Thousands of Victorians suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest every year. A cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops.

Every day around 20 Victorians have a cardiac arrest, with only one in 10 surviving.

That’s why immediate action is critical.

Restart A Heart Day on 16 October is part of the Shocktober campaign and is a global initiative to raise awareness and educate our community about learning CPR and how to use an AED.

By knowing how to perform CPR and use an AED we can improve cardiac arrest survival rates and help save lives, together.

Already know CPR?

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Ambulance Victoria
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You don’t need to be a paramedic to help save a life.

Graphic showing a person using a defibrillator with the text call push shock

Someone nearby might need CPR: Can you help?

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If you are willing and able to do hands-only CPR, you can save a life. All you need to do is register as a GoodSAM Responder & download the free GoodSAM Responder app from either the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

GoodSAM Responders must be over 18 and own a smartphone. You will only be alerted if you are nearby the person in cardiac arrest. You will be given the location of the emergency, and/or the location of the closest Automatic External Defibrillator (AED), if available.

You can literally re-start their heart and save a life.

The GoodSAM app is available in Victoria and is integrated with Triple Zero (000) to quickly connect patients with help in the first vital minutes after a cardiac arrest.

A GoodSAM Responder will receive an alert and is quickly directed to the location of the patient to start CPR and help keep the heart pumping until an ambulance arrives.

The app will also let you know the location of the closest Automatic External Defibrillator (AED), if available.

If you are unable to accept the alert, you can decline and it will be sent to the next nearest GoodSAM Responder.

If its been a while since you’ve done CPR or CPR training, don’t worry. If you’ve got hands, all you need to do is push hard and fast in the middle of the person’s chest. You won’t be alone. When you arrive and commence CPR the Triple Zero (000) call taker will be on the phone to guide and support you while an ambulance is on the way

Your safety is a top priority. You will only be asked to attend a cardiac arrest when CPR is likely to improve the patient’s outcome.

If you feel uncomfortable or unsafe when approaching a scene or the patient, you are not obliged to provide assistance. The GoodSAM app allows you to reject or drop the call for help at any time.

Sometimes, Ambulance Victoria may send you a cancellation message when you’re on the way to a patient. For your safety, always follow these instructions.

All GoodSAM alerts are monitored by Ambulance Victoria’s 24 hour Communications Centre and will always be backed by the highest priority emergency ambulance response.

Register as a GoodSAM Responder and you’ll join thousands of Victorians ready to save a life. 

"To have played a part in saving a life is just the best feeling!"
Chloe Wirth
GoodSAM Responder

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