Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Session

---

Automated External Defibrillators, or AED's have been introduced across the Victorian community in sporting clubs, shopping centers, community venues, and many large stores. These devices were rolled out based on clear evidence that the sooner a person in cardiac arrest receives adequate CPR, and a defibrillator shock (if necessary), the higher the chance of survival. 

When the heart goes into a rhythm that does not pump blood adequately to the body, the resulting sign is cardiac arrest. Evidence from many years of research found that the sooner the heart could be 'restarted' into a normal rhythm, the less tissue death occurs, and the chance of recovery is higher.

It was found that CPR alone was not enough to convert that rhythm, and awaiting an ambulance to deliver that lifesaving shock was the difference between recovery and a negative outcome.

Based on the information in the research, it was noted that more accessible defibrillators were a potential solution as well as more wide-spread training in CPR. The Victorian government, city councils, and other private companies began providing grants to implement AED's in important places. Now, AED's are found in all Woolworths and Coles stores, Shopping centers, council offices, CFA stations, many retail stores, and in an increasing number of community centers and sporting clubs. 

If you have completed a CPR certificate in the past 5 years, you will have been taught how to also use an AED. However, many members of the public and members of community groups do not complete regular CPR courses, and therefore are left unsure of how to use the device in the event that they witness a sudden cardiac arrest.

While not an accredited course, Event Medical Team believes that equipping as many people with an understanding of how to use an AED is key to the survival of those that are witnessed in such a condition, especially in regional Victoria where ambulance resources are spread thin.

In 2025, EMT will provide what we are calling familiarization sessions to community groups across Victoria. The aim of these sessions is to increase awareness of the benefits of an AED, and to reduce the stigma toward them. Our theory - "The more people that are willing to pick one up and use it, the greater chance of survival in the community."

One of our highly trained staff members, with years of experience in acute healthcare will come to your location. They will provide overview information on the device specific to your equipment and provide the opportunity for your participants to get hands-on with a basic CPR run through and to use one of our training AED's to see just how user-friendly they are.

We will finish with an open forum question time.

If your community group, sporting club, or business are interested in having one of our staff come to you and run one of these sessions, please reach out to us for an informal, obligation-free quote.