HEART of the Nation founder and CEO, Greg Page, has urged pharmacists to take action against cardiac arrest by installing an automated external defibrillator (AED) outside their pharmacy.
"There are more than 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests every year in Australia, and only one in 20 people survive," he told delegates at APP2025.
When resuscitation is attempted, survival increases to 10%, he said, "but overall, survival from cardiac arrest is very low".
Cardiac arrest usually manifests as an electrical problem with the heart, and the shock delivered by the AED can reset the heart's electrical system and get it going again.
Better known as the original yellow Wiggle, Page famously collapsed at the end of a Wiggles show, and was helped by audience members and crew who saved his life - thanks to an AED at the venue.
"Two shocks from the AED restarted my heart, just as the paramedics were walking into the room," he said.
He is keen to make AEDs more available and accessible in the community, ideally one within 200 metres of every home, to help make a difference to survival rates.
"Time matters," he said, pointing out there is a 10% decrease in survival for every minute that goes by without somebody doing CPR and using an AED.
As a first step, if you already have an AED, you can register it with Heart of the Nation so people can find it on the app.
There are several different AED location apps and they do not have the same data, but that is something Heart of the Nation is trying to change by lobbying for a national register.
Page then pointed out that most AEDs are locked inside buildings - including pharmacies - after hours, whereas cardiac arrests can occur at any time of day.
As a second step, Page urged pharmacists to consider installing their AED outside, making it available 24/7 - like the one outside Pharmacy Daily (pictured).
Heart of the Nation has AEDs that can be fitted with tracking technology, so that when it moves, it sends a text message to your nominated contact.
Another part of Heart of the Nation's mission is to make AEDs more visible - when Page asked delegates who had noticed the AED in the convention centre, there was a very sparse show of hands.
Step three is to make your AED stand out with bright yellow cabinets and signage.
If you do not have an AED but there is one nearby, you can also use bright yellow signage on your shop window to tell people where they can find it.
"Pharmacists are uniquely placed to help the community with cardiac arrests because you are at the forefront of the community - they see you as trusted people to help them with their healthcare problems and issues," said Page.
Page gave a shout out to National Pharmacies in South Australia, where 44 outlets have an AED available 24/7 - with four having been accessed to be used.
Finally, he urged pharmacists to consider getting the community involved in a fundraising campaign to buy an AED - there is a fundraising platform on the website.
For more on Heart of the Nation and AED packages, see HERE. KB
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 28 Mar 25
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