The Heywood community has received a major health boost with the installation of the town's second publicly accessible Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
AEDs are used to shock the heart back into rhythm following a cardiac arrest and play a vital role in a person's survival.
The AED was recently installed outside the Heywood Post Office as a collaboration between Ambulance Victoria (AV), Heywood Men's Shed and the Bendigo Bank.
Sandra Crone – Secretary Men's Shed Heywood, Terry Sparrow – President Men's Shed Heywood and Ambulance Victoria Portland Team Manager Marty Starick
Ambulance Victoria Portland Team Manager Marty Starick said the new AED was part of the town's Heart Safe Communities Program.
"Heart Safe Communities is a joint initiative between AV and the Heart Foundation which aims to improve cardiac arrest survival rates in regional areas," Mr Starick said.
"The Heywood Men's Shed has done a fantastic job working with us to teach local residents how to do CPR and how to use an AED in a medical emergency."
The new AED is located in a central location, making it easily accessible for locals and visitors.
"We know that bystander intervention makes the biggest difference for surviving a cardiac arrest," Mr Starick said.
"The Heart Safe Communities program has encouraged Heywood locals to start CPR and use an accessible AED if they witness a cardiac arrest and this new AED will undoubtedly save lives."
About 20 Victorians suffer a cardiac arrest every day and only one in 10 survive, but when a patient receives CPR and a shock from an AED before paramedics arrive, their chance of survival more than doubles.
Heywood was announced as a Heart Safe Community in 2003- there are now more than 30 Heart Safe Communities across the state.
