40 more cardiac defibrillators into the community

September 10, 2009

40 more cardiac defibrillators go into the community

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A further 40 cardiac defibrillators will be installed in a variety of public places over the coming weeks by the Hawke’s Bay District Health Board’s emergency response team.

Earlier in the year 20 defibrillators were fitted into Police Incident cars and public places in isolated communities throughout Hawke’s Bay.

Defibrillators are easy to use and one of the most effective ways of saving a life when someone collapses from a cardiac arrest.

The DHB’s emergency response advisor Sandra Bee said places where large numbers of people gathered had been identified as the most appropriate places to install the defibrillators.

Proposed sites were K Mart, Hawke’s Bay Airport, as well as a number of golf courses, hotels and supermarkets in the region. Staff would be trained in how to use them by the emergency response team, Ms Bee said.

Ms Bee said she was extremely grateful to the Endeavour Community Trust, which had funded the 60 defibrillators that were being distributed throughout Hawke’s Bay.

The defibrillators are simple and safe to use by the first person at the scene of a sudden cardiac arrest, and quite simply they can save lives, she said.

A simple logo of a broken heart depicts where a defibrillator is available

ENDS

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