Defibrillators expanded across Armidale region sporting venues

Four defibrillators have been added to the growing list of sporting venues across the Armidale region with the life-saving devices.

A defibrillator (known as an automated external defibrillator or AED) is a small, portable device designed to deliver a controlled electrical shock to a person experiencing certain cardiac rhythms. Defibrillators must be used in conjunction with CPR.

The COVID 19 pandemic has meant that funds allocated under the Sports Council’s Small Grants Program had been under subscribed and $9500 was available for the purchase of AEDs.

Mayor Sam Coupland said the AEDs located at eight sporting venues across the LGA meant we were giving someone suffering from cardiac arrest the best possible chance of survival.

“In NSW alone approximately 8500 people experience an out of hospital cardiac arrest in NSW every year, only 12 percent will survive,” said mayor Coupland

“For every minute that passes after a person has a cardiac arrest, the chance of survival decreases. Through administering CPR and defibrillation quickly the chance of survival is substantially higher.”

The AEDs are accessible to anyone that may need to administer CPR and simple instructions are available to guide you.

Defibrillators are located at:

Published on 17 Mar 2022