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    STAYING ALIVE: Mason Bright-Watson gets a lesson in CPR from Horsham paramedic Emilie-Rae Woodhead at Horsham Plaza last week. Picture: COLIN MacGILLIVRAY

Paramedics teaching the basics

Paramedics from Horsham Ambulance Station were out in force last week to help educate people as part of national Restart a Heart Day.

Station members set up CPR and defibrillator demonstrations for members of the community in Horsham Plaza on Thursday, the day after Restart a Heart Day on Wednesday.

Senior team manager Matt Perry said many people had stopped to learn basic CPR technique, which they could apply in an emergency.

He said teaching people how to perform CPR on somebody suffering cardiac arrest could improve their chances of survival.



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“We want members of the public to know what to do if someone collapses or goes into cardiac arrest,” he said.

“At the moment about one in 10 people survive a cardiac arrest, and we’re trying to improve that number.

“If more people know how to perform CPR and use a defibrillator, that can make a significant impact.”

Mr Perry said the team had also promoted a new GoodSAM mobile app.

GoodSAM is free and alerts any first-aid-qualified and medically trained responders in the area in the case of a cardiac arrest. A triple-zero call triggers an alert to be sent to the app, which then alerts responders closest to the person in cardiac arrest, as well as the closest available ambulance.

GoodSAM responders in the vicinity can then provide CPR and, if possible, use a defibrillator until paramedics arrive.

Mr Perry said at least 12 people had signed up for the app as a result of the group’s demonstration.

He said anyone who had completed a first-aid course could sign up as a responder by downloading the app on the Apple App Store or Android’s Google Play.

– Colin MacGillivray

The entire October 23, 2019 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!