By Mike Elvidge
Every minute matters in a cardiac emergency. When someone suffers a sudden cardiac arrest, fast action can make the difference between life and death. That is why community defibrillator programs are such an important part of local safety, especially in areas where ambulance response times may be longer than we would like.
The Community Defib Project supporting Arcadia and Galston (Community 2159) was created to help communities install Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) that are accessible to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
This is now an opportunity for our own community to get involved. Over the last 5 years the team has already placed 11 defibs around the local area see map.
A local defib program can only succeed when residents and volunteers come together with a shared purpose: making lifesaving equipment available when and where it is needed most.
We are now inviting expressions of interest from people who would like to be part of your local team to support this initiative, you do not need to be a medical expert to help.
If you are passionate about community safety and would like to help build a heart-safe neighbourhood, now is the time to put your hand up and register your interest in joining the local defib team, by emailing Mike of [email protected]
In an emergency call 000
Ask for an ambulance. The operator can confirm the closest AED and give the cabinet access code where one applies. Guide only. Roads are drawn in simplified form and marker positions are approximate. Confirm each unit on the AED register.
