New defibrillators ready to save lives in Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale

Residents and traders have worked together to fund and install new defibrillators at supermarkets in Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff. The two new Automated External Defibrillators, or AED machines, are located in marked and unlocked boxes at IGA supermarkets and will be the first defibrillators available 24/7 in the Borough.

Local resident David Jarman ran the successful campaign to install the machines after realising the Borough didn’t have any defibrillators that could be accessed at any time of day. “Having defibrillators available for public use will make our community safer,” said Mr Jarman. “While we hope the defibrillators never need to be used, we’re now better prepared to respond quickly to an emergency in our community.”

Other members of the community, including Point Lonsdale IGA owner Tamara Gaylard, quickly picked up Mr Jarman’s campaign. “We organised training by Ambulance Victoria, and invited our staff and other traders to take part so we all know how to use a defibrillator in an emergency,” said Ms Gaylard. “Hosting these defibrillators on our stores is part of how we can give back to a community we love.”

Borough of Queenscliffe Mayor Ross Ebbels joined Mr Jarman on Thursday to promote the new defibrillators. “These new defibrillators are a testament to the fantastic initiative of our community,” said Cr Ebbels. “I want to thank Bendigo Bank and the Queenscliff Point Lonsdale Community Enterprise for providing part of the funding for the new equipment, as well as David and the other members of our community who raised much-needed funds.”

24/7 defibrillators can save lives by ensuring heart attack victims receive immediate treatment while waiting for an ambulance to arrive. Applying defibrillation within the first few minutes of cardiac arrest can increase the chance of survival by over 70%, compared to less than 5% without a defibrillator (see stjohnvic.com.au/products/defibrillators).