Defibrillators ready to save lives on trains

Access to defibrillators is being greatly increased for train travellers, including on V/Line's regional network.
The state government says 90 of the devices, formally called Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs), have already been installed on V/Line trains and many more will be added over coming months.
Acting Minister for Public and Active Transport Steve Dimopoulos added that defibrillators were also available at all 47 staffed stations across the regional network and at V/Line platforms at Southern Cross station.
He said the devices had also been installed at metropolitan stations.
Mr Dimopoulos said the AEDs would ensure critical assistance was available to a person on board a train within minutes of suffering a cardiac arrest.
They can be operated by V/Line staff or members of the public.
According to Ambulance Victoria data, use of a combination of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillators can increase a person's chance of survival by 70 per cent.
AEDs are being installed on V/Line trains during regular maintenance, with portable devices being provided as an interim measure.
"Having defibrillators on V/Line trains will significantly increase a person's chance of surviving an emergency," Mr Dimopoulos said.
"This is a really important project and will significantly enhance staff and passengers' ability to respond to these incidents onboard our train services," V/Line chief executive officer Matt Carrick added. "Each of our different train types have required a different design, so we have been working to develop prototypes to ensure the units can be safely installed and are fit-for-purpose."