Sudden Cardiac Arrest

ANY ATTEMPT AT RESUSCITATION IS BETTER THAN NO ATTEMPT !!!!

Sudden Cardiac Arrest

• occurs when the Heart (Cardiac) Unexpectedly (Sudden) Stops (Arrests)
• is the leading cause of death in Australia, approx 33,000 die per year
• affects any age, gender & fitness level and often occurs without prior warning signs or symptoms
• is a lethal abnormality in the electrical impulse which controls the beating action of the heart
• is a separate event to a heart attack, although it can be caused by heart attack
• is reversible but without treatment, always results in DEATH

Over 75% of cardiac arrests occur in the community, i.e. outside of a hospital, therefore, the prompt reaction of bystanders is critical to give the casualty the best chance of survival.

It is simple, easy & safe for ANYONE, regardless of prior training, to become a lifesaver if they just let go of fear, ‘have a go’ - apply an Automated Defibrillator & follow the voice prompts

It is not possible to harm someone who is already deceased!!

 Public Access Defibrillators (PAD) also known as Automated External Defibrillators (AED):

• have inbuilt computer chips to analyse the rhythms instantly and accurately, making it possible for non-professionals to administer aid without risking accidental shock
• Safe & Reliable – must be applied to victim & detect a lethal heart rhythm & will not deliver a shock to a normal heart rhythm, cannot be used inappropriately
• Automatic & Easy to use with Voice Prompt Instructions
• Have a dramatic impact on survival of Sudden Cardiac Arrest victims - without early defibrillation  less than 5% of Cardiac Arrest victims survive; with defibrillation within the first few
• minutes, survival rate dramatically increased to over 70%