Gunnedah Apex Club is on a mission to increase the number of defibrillators in the local community.
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Member Amanda Bennetts said a lack of defibrillators in Gunnedah’s school and the PCYC had been brought to their attention, so they developed the concept of Project Defibrillator.
An automated external defibrillator (AED) pack that includes both paediatric and adult pads was offered to all local schools and the PCYC, with four schools and the PCYC accepting the offer.
“Whilst we hope that the defibrillators will never have to be used, they are there if needed in a time of an emergency,” Ms Bennetts said.
“More than 30,000 Australians suffer from sudden cardiac arrest every year, of which only 5 per cent survive. Immediate access to a defibrillator can lead to a 70 per cent survival rate if applied quickly.
“Cardiac arrests are not just restricted to the elderly or high-risk groups, with both the Red Cross and the Heart Foundation acknowledging the advantage of having easy access to an AED wherever large groups of people gather, including schools.”
The first two schools to receive AED packs were Carinya Christian School and G.S Kidd Memorial School.
Carinya principal Chad Kentwell said having defibrillators in schools was a great idea because schools were so central to every community.
“I can see it saving a life; it being a community service to have it in a central spot,” he said.
“For a local organisation to offer you to have one in the school is really very generous.”
GS Kidd principal Sharne Turpin said the AED pack would give the staff more confidence and they were “sincerely grateful” to Apex for their generosity.
“We always want to be prepared but hope we won’t have to use it,” she said.
“We’re always grateful for the committee’s continual support.”
The next schools to receive AED packs will be Gunnedah Public School and Gunnedah High School, followed by the PCYC.
Ms Bennetts said the Gunnedah Court House Hotel had assisted the club in raising funds for the first two AED packs, however, funds were still needed for the next roll-out, with each pack costing more than $2000.
Those who wish to support Project Defibrillator can contact Apex member Anthony Dein on 0447 244 221.