General News
12 June, 2019
Defibrillators ready for easy use at Terang and Noorat
THE Terang and Noorat post offices have received life-saving equipment with 24-hour public access, through a joint initiative between Australia Post and St John Ambulance Australia.
THE Terang and Noorat post offices have received life-saving equipment with 24-hour public access, through a joint initiative between Australia Post and St John Ambulance Australia.
Terang Post Office owner Scott Dennis said the new defibrillators were easy to use to treat a person suffering a sudden cardiac arrest or heart attack.
“They’re pretty simple to use,” he said.
“We’ve done some training.”
Mr Dennis said anyone could access the device at anytime, but it would not activate unless treating a person suffering a heart attack.
Two St John Ambulance presenters will deliver a public demonstration at the Terang Post Office on Wednesday, June 19 from 1.30pm until 3.30pm and at the Noorat Post Office on Wednesday, June 26 from 2.30pm until 4pm.
Sudden cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death in Australia and defibrillation within the first few minutes of experiencing a heart attack increases the chance of survival to more than 70 per cent.
According to Ambulance Victoria’s 2017/2018 figures, paramedics attended to 6434 cardiac arrest cases across Victoria.
A number of other south west post offices were also included in the initiative, including Simpson, Cobden, Timboon, Port Campbell, Skipton, Lismore, Derrinallum and Penshurst.