Three steps that could save a life this Shocktober
Around 21 Victorians have a cardiac arrest every day and only one in 10 survives. Ambulance Victoria’s free guides show you what to do, including in Tamil.
October is Shocktober, Ambulance Victoria’s month-long push to get more people to learn CPR and how to use a defibrillator (AED). The reason is simple: when someone’s heart stops, what bystanders do in the first few minutes decides whether they live.
For every minute CPR is delayed, the chance of survival drops by 10 per cent, Ambulance Victoria says. If the person gets CPR and a shock from a defibrillator before paramedics arrive, their chance of survival more than doubles.
Call, Push, Shock
If someone collapses and isn’t breathing normally:
- Call Triple Zero (000). The call taker will talk you through CPR and using a defibrillator.
- Push on the centre of the chest, between the nipples. Push hard, to a steady rhythm.
- Shock: if there’s a defibrillator nearby, turn it on and follow its instructions.
You can find the nearest registered defibrillator on Ambulance Victoria’s AED map. If you know CPR, the free GoodSAM app can alert you when someone nearby has a cardiac arrest. Ambulance Victoria is running free CPR and AED sessions across the state this month; see its Shocktober events page.
Guides in your language
Ambulance Victoria publishes its Call Push Shock guide and videos in 16 languages besides English, including Tamil, Malay and Vietnamese.
For Tamil-speaking families, the Tamil leaflet and video are worth sharing with parents and grandparents.
Why it matters to you
A cardiac arrest can happen anywhere, including at home in front of family. Learning these three steps takes a few minutes. If you have older relatives living with you, make sure everyone in the house knows them.
Sources: Ambulance Victoria, Shocktober and Call Push Shock, accessed 15 October 2026; Multicultural and Multifaith Victoria e-news, 15 October 2026. General information, not medical advice. In an emergency, call 000.