LAKE Boga now has four publicly accessible automated external defibrillators available 24 hours a day after Ambulance Victoria donated a new machine under the Heart Safe Communities program.
This new machine is being installed on the opposite side of the lake to the caravan park office, at the toilet block for Lake Boga campgrounds 5, adding to the town’s ability to respond to a cardiac emergency by complementing the other machines already in place at the Lake Boga Caravan office, the Flying Boat Museum and Lake Boga Pharmacy.
Up until now there hasn’t been access to an AED on the far side of the lake.
Ambulance Victoria paramedic Holly Latter said the AED was set to be an important resource for residents and holidaymakers alike.
“AEDs are used to attempt to shock the heart back into rhythm following a cardiac arrest,” Ms Latter said.
“Cardiac arrest happens when a person’s heart suddenly stops beating.
“It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere.
“Minutes matter in a cardiac arrest and the sooner a person receives cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation from an AED, the better their chances of survival.
“The location of this new AED increases access to life-saving equipment for tourists and locals in case of a medical emergency at the holiday park, at a nearby home or around the lake.”
Over the past 12 months AV has been working with the Heart Safe foundation on Heart Safe Lake Boga in an effort to improve cardiac arrest outcomes in the community and has trained 130 people in CPR and using an AED.
Lake Boga Caravan Park’s Jason Stevens will take on responsibility for maintaining the new machine and is pleased there will now be a 24-hour-accessible AED to people on the far side of the lake, saving valuable minutes in a life-threatening situation.
Each day it is estimated 20 Victorians suffer a cardiac arrest and only one in 10 survives.
Ms Latter said another focus of the Heart Safe Communities program had been encouraging locals to sign up as GoodSAM responders.
“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,” Ms Latter said.
“You don’t have to have to be first-aid-qualified or have a medical background to sign up – 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.”
Lake Boga resident Greg Edwards has been a GoodSAM responder since the app was launched in the town.
It is hoped Lake Boga will eventually have at least three GoodSAM responders.
