If you think a person is in cardiac arrest, your quick action can give them the best chance of survival. Call Triple Zero (000) immediately, push hard and fast in the middle of the person’s chest to deliver CPR and shock using an AED.
A sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, at any time, and research shows that the chance of survival outside of a hospital setting is incredibly low. We can help change this.
If a bystander uses an automated external defibrillator (AED), the survival rate is around 50%, compared to 27% when immediate assistance isn’t provided and the patient must wait for help. By taking quick and informed action, with the support of an AED, you can help to save someone’s life.
Do you know how shockingly simple AEDs are to use?
If you think someone is in cardiac arrest, follow the steps of Call, Push, Shock, also known as the Chain of Survival. Remember, any attempt at resuscitation is better than no attempt and your quick action can give them the best chance of survival.
Call Triple Zero (000) immediately. The operator will take you through what to do, including how to perform CPR.
Push hard and fast in the middle of the person’s chest to deliver CPR. Any attempt at resuscitation is better than none.
Use an AED to deliver a shock as soon as possible. AEDs are easy to use and safe for both the user and the patient.
Learn about calling emergency services and how to assess the situation. The operator will take you through what to do, including how to perform CPR.
Anastasia recalls the cold Tuesday evening when she witnessed a man lying unconscious during a social game of soccer.
“I was very happy to help by giving CPR but there was an element of fear about starting chest compressions, and uncertainty if I was doing it right. The AED was the one thing that provided an immense sense of support and reassurance."
Daniel’s gym session started like any other with some light stretches and his favourite playlist. The Adelaide father of three felt well as he settled into his run on the treadmill, totally unaware that just six minutes later he would go into cardiac arrest.
“I just dropped to the ground,” explains Daniel. “My heart stopped, and I wasn’t breathing for over 12 minutes.”
The moment I saw the AED, I felt the biggest sense of relief. I heard the machine’s voice talk me through what I needed to do and suddenly I felt back in control.
Anastasia Georgiou
Cardiac arrest responder
GoodSAM is an alert system that uses a phone app to notify registered responders – like off-duty health professionals and first-aiders – if a cardiac arrest occurs near them.
These responders can provide CPR while an ambulance is on the way. GoodSAM also provides details of nearby AEDs further improving the chances of surviving a cardiac arrest. Anyone aged 18 or over in Tasmania can become a GoodSAM responder. Download the app to join the program.
A cardiac arrest is when a person’s heart stops beating. It can happen suddenly and usually occurs when there is a problem with the heart's electrical system, stopping the heart from pumping blood around the body. During a cardiac arrest, a person will be unresponsive and not breathing (or not breathing normally).
A cardiac arrest is a medical emergency but quick action from bystanders by performing CPR and using an AED can improve a person’s chance of survival.
A cardiac arrest happens suddenly and rapidly. It often occurs with no warning. The person in cardiac arrest will:
A heart attack is essentially a problem with the heart’s plumbing. During a heart attack, one or more of the arteries that take blood to the heart’s own tissue becomes blocked or narrowed. This means that less blood (and consequently less oxygen) is delivered to the heart muscle, causing damage. A person experiencing a heart attack will usually be alert, breathing, and complaining of chest pain and other symptoms. Their heart is still beating.
A cardiac arrest can be thought of as an electrical problem inside the heart. During a cardiac arrest, there is a problem with the signals that tell the heart when and how to contract. This means that it either stops beating or isn’t beating enough to get enough blood pumping around your body. A person experiencing a cardiac arrest will be unconscious and not breathing normally, if not at all.
Both heart attacks and cardiac arrests are medical emergencies. Remember to call Triple Zero (000) immediately. The operator will be able to ask questions to determine what is happening and send help.
CPR is a combination of mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing and chest compressions. Compressions-Only CPR is CPR without rescue breaths (also known as ‘hands only CPR’). Both types of CPR can double the person’s survival rates, compared to when immediate assistance isn’t provided and the patient must wait for help.
CPR helps to keep blood and oxygen circulating to the brain of a person whose heart has stopped beating, increasing their chances of survival until the heart can be restarted.
CPR alone does not restore a normal heart rhythm. It does help keep the heart in a state where the AED has a greater chance of being able to do its job.
Remember, any attempt at resuscitation is better than none.
An AED is a portable electronic device that can detect life-threatening abnormal heart rhythms. These abnormal heart rhythms can cause a cardiac arrest.
An AED can help treat these abnormal heart rhythms by giving an electric shock to the heart. The idea is to ‘shock’ the heart back to a normal rhythm. This is known as defibrillation.
AEDs are smart – they are designed to only deliver a shock if it is necessary and will not shock someone with a normal heartbeat. AEDs are user-friendly and include safety features to prevent misuse.
AEDs also give simple step-by-step instructions. This means anyone can use an AED, even if you’ve never seen or used one before.