AUTOMATED defibrillators are now available in public spaces across Horsham.
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Six locations where selected as priority spots for defibrillators to be installed. These locations comprised of Roberts Place, the May Park toilet block, Westpac Bank precinct, Woolworths toilet block, Sawyer Park and Weir Park toilet block.
Four defibrillators have been installed in Roberts Place, the May Park toilet block, Sawyer Park and Weir Park. Another two defibrillators are set to be installed in the immediate future at the Westpac Bank precinct and Woolworths toilet block.
Horsham Community and Police Consultative Committee chairman David Eltringham said the devices can be used by anyone to deliver an electronic shock to a person experiencing a cardiac arrest. Mr Eltringham said the group identified a need for automated defibrillators to be available.
“There have been a couple of incidents in the main street where people have suffered a cardiac arrest,” he said. “We have identified how effective these are in saving lives.”
Ninety per cent of people who suffer sudden cardiac arrest do not survive.
However statistics show defibrillation within the first few minutes of a sudden cardiac arrest increases a person’s chances of survival by more than 70 per cent.
Mr Eltringham said the six locations selected to house an automated defibrillators was based on security and access.
“We looked at the idea that when people aren’t feeling well they gravitate towards public toilet blocks,” he said.
“On top of the six locations, we have asked Community Axis and Horsham Plaza to install them in public areas.”
Mr Eltringham said the program revealed a number of automated defibrillators within businesses that were unregistered. He said registration was an important issue.
“There were businesses who had them, but nobody knew they were there,” he said. “If everyone registers defibrillators then Ambulance Victoria can tell people where to go in emergency situations.”