By Tanya Steele
More vital life saving equipment has been supplied to the community in Badger Creek with a new defibrillator or AED (Automated external defibrillator) recently installed in the area.
Badger Creek Primary has installed a AED close by in case of emergency, highlighting the need for after-hours access to the life saving devices in the area.
Bonnie Van De Ven a parent on the Badger Creek School Council said that the group had realised they needed access to a defibrillator after 5pm because they were in a bit of a black spot in their area.
“There are some other defibs around the area, but none the public can access after hours,” she said.
Using an AED before an ambulance arrives can significantly increase someone’s chance of survival in an emergency.
The primary school reached out to Yarra Ranges Council for a Community Recovery Grant, which Ms Van De Ven said is designed to help with mental help, connection and community.
Dixon’s Creek has also successfully received a defib as a result of the same grant.
Ms Van De Ven said the primary school worked closely with the Badger Creek CFA to get the defib installed on site in an easy to access location for the public.
“It’s now been installed in an outside location, we worked closely with them throughout this,” she said.
A spokesperson from Ambulance Victoria said AEDs are used to shock the heart back into rhythm following a cardiac arrest and it happens when a person’s heart suddenly stops beating, which can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere.
“Minutes matter and the sooner a person receives cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation from an AED, the better their chances of survival,” they said.
“It’s important the community learns how to perform basic CPR and use an AED so we can make a difference, the more people that know what to do in an emergency, the more lives will be saved.”
The AED installation will be officially celebrated in an evening of awareness of help featuring first aid, defib and mental health training by sessions for the public by Life Connect and Badger Creek CFA. on Monday 4 September.
“Some of the remaining grant money will go to the first aid course as well, so that people can attend for free,” Ms Van De Ven said.
Life Connect will also have an informal chat and run a ‘Responding to emotions’ workshop at Badger Creek Primary from 6.30 pm and Badger Creek CFA will host back to back defibrillator and first aid sessions from 5 pm to 8 pm.
“We’re aiming to raise awareness about the defib in the community and let people know it’s there and it’s available for people to access after hours,” Ms Van De Ven said.
For more information contact info@emergcarefiresafety.com.au
