About 18 Victorians experience cardiac arrest every day, with only one in 10 people surviving.

Every minute that CPR and the use of an Automated External Defibrillators (AED) is delayed, the likelihood of survival drops by 10 per cent.

Recognising the importance of these life-saving devices, Maryborough Lions Club has donated two AEDs, used to deliver a shock to restore a normal heart rhythm following a cardiac arrest, as well as ten cabinets with pin-codes to store an additional ten machines.

The program is being supported by Ambulance Victoria (AV).

The club has installed one of the AEDs at its bookshop on High Street, which will be available 24/7. It has been registered with AV, so Triple Zero (000) call takers can direct people to it in a medical emergency.

A second will be installed elsewhere in Maryborough.

The program also gives businesses, schools and community groups with an existing AED the opportunity to make them more accessible.

If installed inside one of the ten donated cabinets, the devices can be publicly accessible at any time of the day.

AV Team Manager, Mark Passalick, said the devices would make a real difference to the community.

"Cardiac arrest happens when a person's heart suddenly stops beating and stops pumping blood effectively around the body; it can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere," Mr Passalick said.

"Minutes matter and the sooner a person receives Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation from an AED, the better their chances of survival."

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Mr Passalick said AEDs were simple to use.

"If someone is in cardiac arrest and an AED is available, simply open it and follow the instructions. They are safe and easy to use and will not deliver a shock unless it is necessary."

Residents can also register with the Good SAM smartphone app, to connect Victorians in cardiac arrest with responders and defibrillators before paramedics arrive.

"Anyone can save a life by downloading the GoodSAM App and knowing how to perform chest compressions or CPR. You don't have to have experience or a medical background, you just have to be willing and able to do hands-on CPR, be over 18 years of age and have access to a smartphone," Mr Passalick said.

So far more than 13,000 Victorians have signed up, but more are needed. GoodSAM responders have saved more than 50 lives since 2018.

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