A team of paramedics will launch the Community Defib Project at the surf lifesaving club at Catherine Hill Bay on Saturday, April 10.
The event will demonstrate the importance of automated external defibrillators (AEDs), with a presentation on how to save a life and CPR demonstrations.
It will run from 9am and 2pm, by founder of the project, Sophie Wills, along with Intensive Care Paramedic, Carpet Hughes, Critical Care Paramedic, Bruce Shiach-Wise, and the team that brought community AEDs to the community.
Wills said the Catherine Hill Bay and surrounding community had been supportive with the installation of three AEDs in less than three months.
“The project has been working closely with a local Paramedic, Bruce Shiach-Wise, to get the AEDs installed in the community,” Wills said.
“For every minute that goes by during a sudden cardiac arrest without a defibrillator, the victim’s chance of survival is reduced by seven to 10 percent.
“This is why it’s extremely important for small communities like Catherine Hill Bay to know exactly where their AEDs are, how to access them and how to use them, and we encourage the community to come down to the Surf Life Saving Club to learn all about it,” Wills said.
To ensure that every community member gets the opportunity to learn about these AEDs, there will be two sessions.
Resources will also be available on the day including maps of local AEDs and information about the project.
The Community Defib Project is a not-for-profit organisation that works to install community accessible defibrillators to vulnerable communities.
The Project started in 2018 and has since launched in 11 communities across NSW.
Source:
Media release, Apr 6
Community Defib Project