Paramedic shocked using new defibrillation technique being trialled in Victoria

RUMOUR CONFIRMED

A Victorian paramedic has received an electric shock while defibrillating a patient.

The paramedic was using a technique being trialled in Victoria known as ‘manual pressure augmentation’ when the incident occurred on Friday.

Press PLAY below to hear what happened

The technique involves paramedics leaving their hands on the paddles and applying pressure, which improves the conductivity of the shock.

Secretary of the Ambulance Union, Danny Hill, says it’s not yet known what went wrong, but the trial has been suspended.

“Luckily the paramedic was not permanently harmed by it … but it can be quite life-threatening,” he told Ross and Russel.