[Yr7-10it] o/t: cardiac arrest

[Roland Gesthuizen]

I have hung an SAED next to our reception in our school office. I hope we
never have to use it at my work place. Having said that and having used this
technology in the field, it simply works but does require some training.

Sadly, besides my IT apprentices and my firstaid staff, I cannot get any
admin or teaching staff motivated for first-aid and SAED training. Even the
teacher aides who put up their hands three years ago are fed up getting
lumped with first-aid calls that they feel should be shared around.

If somebody suddenly requires a trained operator to deliver a life giving
shock with an SAED .. with our year 10 surf life saving squad recieving
paramedical training from RLSSA.. more students are now trained to use these
units than teachers. It is an issue that I was used to as a Cadet Leader
with St John Ambulance Australia working with young adults. When I mention
it to teachers over lunch, they sometimes sheepishly giggle it will never
happen then look around nervously.

Nothing beats learning CPR. Don't wait for your school to offer a course, do
the right thing and learn first aid. If you did it over three years ago, the
technique has already changed and improved. Do it again.

I first learned this simple technique over three decades ago.  As a waiter,
I once stood by watching, I trusted that others would apply what I learned.
Nobody did. You should.

Regards Roland Gesthuizen (First-Aid Coordinator)

2009/3/17 <stephen at melbpc.org.au>

> Hi all,
>
> Sure guys, the following is an advertisement .. however it's from the
> St John Ambulance service, and does indeed saves lives .. maybe yours:
>
>
> > From: St_John_Ambulance_Australia_(Vic) <stjohn at ggg.com.au>
> > Date:   Tue, 17 Mar 2009 11:42:47 +1100
>
> It's a Life and Death issue...
>
> It is a sad fact that fewer than 5% of cardiac arrest victims live to
> tell the tale.
>
> If however they are treated with a shock from a defibrillator within 3 to
> 5 minutes then their chances of survival increase dramatically.
>
> A study of incidents at the MCG and Shrine of Remembrance showed that
> more than 70% of patients treated at the scene with a defibrillator left
> hospital alive.
>
> You can now radically improve the management of incidents in your
> workplace by including Automated External Defibrillators (AED) as part of
> your First Aid response to workplace cardiac arrest and, for a limited
> period, save 10% on the price of Cardiac Science AEDs.
>
> The Powerheart range of AEDs are rescue-ready when needed and their
> automatic instructions are so easy to follow that almost anyone can use
> them in an emergency.
>
> The machines know when to (and when not to) deliver the defibrillation
> shock so users don't have to worry about "doing it right."
>
> So call the St John Sales team on 1300 360 455 to order your Powerheart
> Defibrillator. You can save 10% on the normal price and we will provide
> free training for up to three of your colleagues!
>
> --
>
> Cheers people
> Stephen Loosley
> Victoria, Australia
> (No personal connection, other than my up-to-date first-aid certificate :)
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-- 
Roland Gesthuizen - ICT Coordinator - Westall Secondary College
http://www.westallsc.vic.edu.au

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change
the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has." --Margaret Mead
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