Defibrillators in the news

Defibrillator helps to save live at Manly Beach

A 51 year old man, had suffered a heart attack while swimming and was found floating facedown in the pool by bystanders, who called nearby volunteer lifesavers. Lifesavers and ambulance paramedics worked for 20 minutes to stabilise the man and used shocks from the club’s defibrillator.

See the full story (January 26, 2010)

North Steyne Surf Club launched a public-access defibrillator

NSW has 93 public-access defibrillators in ''high traffic'' areas including Sydney Airport and railway stations, but Surf Life Saving NSW and St John's Ambulance believe this is the first time one has been available at a beach.

In five years, 14 lives have been saved in Australia with such defibrillators.

See the full Defibrillator story (January 25, 2010)

Man found face-down in surf survives with aid of Automated External Defibrillator - Cooks Hill (Newcastle NSW)

The lifesavers pulled a semi-conscious man out of the water, started resuscitation on the sand and used a defibrillator on him twice before paramedics arrived

"Even though it was the real thing it went so smoothly it was almost like we were doing a training exercise. You don't expect it, you're not consciously thinking that is going to happen."

Read the full story (3rd story on the page) (January 23, 2010)

Public Access Defibrillators Saves Life at Airport.

A woman's life was saved by three strangers and a handy public-access defibrillator after she collapsed last Wednesday while waiting for her baggage.

The woman said she felt ill during the flight home from visiting her daughter in Queensland and thought she was suffering heat exhaustion moments before she collapsed. Passers-by began CPR, performed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and  found a public-use defibrillator on an airport wall and brought it to the scene.

Ms Day said she agreed to make her story public to raise awareness about the importance of public-access defibrillators.

"This wonderful machine is why I am sitting alive in this hospital bed today," she said

"Ms Day survived the cardiac arrest predominantly due to the quick and very appropriate actions of several selfless members of the public who used the public-access defibrillator." said Ambulance Victoria emergency medical response co-ordinator Andy Watson

Since 2002 Ambulance Victoria has been installing and maintaining public-access defibrillators through a State Government-funded program at several sites across Victoria including zoos, train stations, airports, leisure centres and other popular destinations.

Read the full story (January 5, 2010)

Woman Brings Neighbor Back To Life with an AED

A Greensburg woman is alive thanks to a life-saving decision she and her community made years ago to buy four automated external defibrillators (AEDs. That is a portable device that shocks the heart...

See full AED story (October 23, 2009)

Police Chief in US wants to install 230 defibrillators in police cars

Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn wants to fit portable defibrillators for his squad cars and wants the business community to help pay for the medical equipment that can help save lives in his community.

His officers have already been trained on how to use the defibrillators, electronic devices that administer an electric shock to the heart through the chest wall in an attempt to restore the heart’s normal rhythm.

He is seeking support from the business sector to help finance the project.

See full defibrillator article (October 2, 2009)

In Our View: Hero Is Spelled AED The Columbian - (Oct 5,2009)

Ever known someone who collapsed and died after a heart attack? Heart atacks are on the increase and that's why it's such good news to see automated external defibrillators, or aeds, becoming more and more common...

The devices don't require medical training. Any user can follow the instructions; the computerized AED monitors heart function and delivers a high-voltage jolt only if it is necessary. And Washington law absolves bystanders who register such first aid from any liability should the patient die...

See our range of automated external defibrillators or AED's