Council network of defibrillators could save lives

Rotorua District Council has purchased four new Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to be installed at the Civic Centre, Convention Centre, Energy Events Centre, and Travel Office i-SITE.

With three defibrillators already in place at the Aquatic Centre, Castlecorp and City Focus the new additions provide a network of seven of the potentially life saving devices for use in cases of sudden cardiac arrest.

RDC chief executive Peter Guerin took possession of the four new defibrillators this week from St John’s district operations manager Norm Riedinger.

Mr Guerin said the total cost of the four new defibrillators, at around $15,000, was money well spent if it helps save the life of just one member of the public or a staff member or customer who suffers a heart attack in or around one of the council’s premises.

“Sadly fewer than 5% of people survive sudden cardiac arrest without early medical intervention. However when the victim is able to receive a ‘shock’ from a defibrillator within five minutes of collapse to restore the heart’s normal pumping rhythm, their chances of survival are dramatically increased.”

Mr Guerin says a study at the Melbourne Cricket Ground showed that of 28 heart attack victims, 86% of them left the arena alive having been fortunate enough to be treated at the scene with a defibrillator, while the average survival rate elsewhere in Australia was around just 3%.

“That’s a pretty compelling reason for our decision, and it reinforces the concern we have as a council and as an employer for the well-being of our customers, our staff and our community.”

Defibrillators can be used with minimal training so the life of a person stricken with sudden cardiac arrest can potentially be saved by anyone using the machine. The devices can determine if a shock is needed based on an automated assessment of the victim’s heart rhythm, and voice instructions then guide the operator through use of the AED.

St John’s district operations manager Norm Riedinger says he is delighted to see more AEDs being placed in the community and congratulates Rotorua District Council on its proactive approach by making the purchase.

“We know that the two interventions most likely to make a difference in sudden cardiac arrest are CPR and early defibrillation. I agree totally with RDC chief executive Peter Guerin that if just one life is saved by placing these AEDs in the community then the purchase has been absolutely justified.”