Making Dubbo a heart safe city
THE chance of surviving cardiac arrest reduces by 10 per cent for every minute the patient is in cardiac arrest.
It’s a sobering catalyst behind Australian Red Cross efforts to install life-saving AED (defibrillator) units in high traffic shopping areas, sporting fields and public places throughout Dubbo to make the city heart safe.
Cardiac arrests are not just restricted to the elderly or high-risk groups. A cardiac arrest can occur in children due to drowning or choking, receiving an electric shock, or respiratory related medical conditions such as asthma and anaphylaxis, trauma, poison or congenital abnormalities – it can happen anywhere and at any time.
“My ultimate goal is to make Dubbo a ‘Heart Safe City’ by having AED units installed in all the high traffic shopping areas of Dubbo including Boundary Road, Myall and Victoria Street shopping areas, Tamworth Street, Whylandra, the Delroy Park shopping area and the CBD,” Australian Red Cross First Aid trainer and assessor George Chapman said.
“In order to achieve this, I am asking local companies, Club Dubbo CEO Rod Firth and Australian Red Cross First Aid trainer and assessor George Chapman deliver a life-saving AED (defibrillator) unit to the Dubbo Grove Pharmacy on Boundary Road, donated by Club Dubbo. PHOTO: DARCEE NIXON.
businesses and support organisations to consider purchasing a unit and donating it to the people of Dubbo.”
Club Dubbo donated one unit just last week to Dubbo Grove Pharmacy and the RSL Club has rallied and donated two units, one each for Myall Street and Tamworth Street.
Each shop which contains the AED will have a window sticker clearly indicating its location in case it is required.
“I’ve also approached council to put a sign in every location that’s got one, so it’s bright and clear and people know where they are,” George told Dubbo Photo
The AED’S are simple to operate.
“Anyone can use them. They’re self-explanatory. All you have to do is turn it on and then it talks you right through it. There’s actually a voice that explains the steps. Dr Kamaladasa, a Dubbo Cardiologist, has said to me, ‘If you do this, you’ll save many lives,’” George added.
The Rotary Club of Dubbo Macquarie havse also launched an appeal and funds donated to this appeal will go to the purchase of additional AED units for Dubbo.
“This is a great start to the ‘Heart Safe City’ campaign and I encourage the local business community to embrace the initiative. It could save their life or the life of a loved one,” Dr Kamaladasa said.
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Donate to the Rotary Club of Dubbo Macquarie AED Appeal
Go in person to Regional Australia Bank or by direct deposit: BSB 932000 Account 100380939 (please include your name as the reference)
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US guitarist, 71. Italian model, 57.
Trent D’arby, British singer, 56. boxer, 53.
Christine Anu, singer, 48.
English model, 47. Eva Longoria, US actress, 43. will.i.am, US singer, 43. Ben Hilfenhaus, cricketer, 35.
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