Twenty-five thousands Victorians have been trained in how to perform potentially life-saving skills, for when paramedics can’t make it in time.
With a new app, Ambulance Victoria will soon be able to call on first-aid trained citizens to help respond to medical emergencies.
When a triple zero call for a heart attack is made, community members with resuscitation qualifications will also be alerted through their phone.
They’ll be given the patient’s location, and sent to provide CPR before paramedics arrive.
Hero HQ was founded by paramedic Nikki Jurcutz who had seen first-hand the difference first responders could make after a cardiac arrest.
Similar programs are already in operation overseas.
Ambulance Victoria’s Ian Patrick said the earlier first aid could be administered after a heart attack, the greater the chance of survival.
“We want to actually strengthen the chain of survival by having early CPR and early defibrillation because we know that makes a huge difference.
The ambulance union Ambulance Employees Australia has cautiously welcomed the initiative, but stressed safety for inexperienced first responders must be paramount.
© Nine Digital Pty Ltd 2017
Read more at http://www.9news.com.au/health/2017/01/28/20/25/new-app-will-call-on-trained-victorians-to-perform-first-aid-before-paramedics-arrive#IyKzkSLqDbRlCiAi.99
An interesting idea in the first aid course world. It would be good if people signed u when completing a first aid course. We would then know that the people being contacted are highly trained in a first aid course. Book in to one of our first aid course at the Dickson Tradies. We deliver great training. Plus it is at a great price for a first aid course.