More defibrillators to save lives in Waroona

Five new automated external defibrillators (AEDs) have been installed in Waroona thanks to the St John Waroona Sub Centre.

This brings the total to 24 in the area and will extend to 29 by the end of the year.

AEDs are portable devices designed for anyone to treat people experiencing cardiac arrest until emergency services arrive.

With only one in 10 people surviving out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, defibrillators are key to saving lives.

As part of the driving force behind the flurry of installations, Jenny McNamara, Waroona Sub Centre Chairperson, is passionate about ensuring public defibrillators are readily available.

“It is very important for our community to know, wherever they turn, there is one there for them.

“It gives reassurance that in the minutes you are waiting for an ambulance, there is an AED available,” she said.

They can be found at key locations including the skate park, football oval, Waroona Memorial Hall and Drakesbrook Weir.

Waroona Mitre 10 owner, Mark Hiller, has one of the defibrillators outside his store on South West Highway.

“I think it’s great for the community.

“If there is a problem in the area, or within the hardware store, we’ve got somewhere to get help,” he said.

Ken Hart has been a local community paramedic for 30 years.

He is keen for the public to understand just how important AEDs can be to increasing survival rates of cardiac arrest – and that anyone can use them.

“We do not have many successful out-of-hospital cardiac arrest outcomes.

“We need more people on the scene to be doing chest compressions and applying an AED before we arrive.

“In events like these, we encourage people to ring triple zero first so they can be directed to their nearest one,” Ken said.

The St John Waroona Sub Centre team will be out and about over the coming months with defibrillator demonstrations and training sessions planned for the town.

Western Australia’s public defibrillator network has doubled in the past five years with more than 10,000 now available.

Find your nearest automated external defibrillator location via the St John WA First Responder app or search the St John WA AED map.