By Jed Lanyon
Coles supermarkets across the nation will each be fitted with Automated External Defibrillators (AED), including Healesville’s Coles.
Coles’ 21 million weekly customers will benefit from the 820 AED’s that have recently been rolled out to their supermarkets in a partnership with the Heart Foundation.
Coles staff, who have been first-aid trained will be able to provide rapid assistance to customers or team members having a sudden cardiac arrest.
Coles Healesville store manager Kelly Rodwell is one of eight Coles team members who have been trained to use the AED.
“I think it’s fantastic that we’re on board with this. I feel all retailers should have something like this when you consider how many customers come through our shop on a daily basis.”
Ms Rodwell said that Healesville Coles can welcome anywhere between 2000 and 5000 customers per week.
“I’ve been a store manager for just over two years and I’ve been lucky enough that I haven’t been in a position where I have needed to use one.
“But there have been instances a couple years back at the shop, where we did have someone who had a heart attack.
“The ambulance did come, but unfortunately they later passed away.
“Luckily I haven’t needed to use one yet, but you do have days where you never know what is going to happen.”
Ms Rodwell said that just last week the supermarket had two ‘code blue’ calls where a customer required assistance from a stroke or from a fall.
The AED is located at the service desk at the entrance of the supermarket and will be available for the wider community in a time of need.
Coles is supporting the Heart Foundation in its efforts to encourage more Australians to have a Health Heart Check with their doctor.
Over coming months, the supermarket will promote the Heart Foundation’s message in store, via social media channels and through other means.
The Heart Foundation’s Group CEO, adjunct professor John Kelly, congratulated Coles for taking an active role in protecting the heart health of Australians.
“Coles will make AEDs more accessible so they can be deployed quickly in an emergency, which will save lives,” Mr Kelly said.
“AEDs are critical to saving lives as every second and minute counts when a person is having a cardiac arrest.”
