Shoctober is nationally recognised as defibrillator awareness month and publically accessible defibrillators have been rolled out across the Northern beaches in high-priority areas to improve survival rates of cardiac arrest victims.
Council have funded five of six pedestrian emergency kiosks, made by Cardiac Responder with the sixth machine kindly donated by The Cardiac Arrest Survival Foundation – a Sydney-based not-for-profit organisation who covered the costs for the installation.
Known as Zapstands, the public access defibrillator systems have been installed across key locations and Council plan to roll out two further systems in 2018/2019 at Lionel Watts Reserve, Frenchs Forest. The second kiosk will be installed at Pittwater Park at Palm Beach which will be kindly donated by the Palm Beach and Whale Beach Residents Association.
Mayor of Northern Beaches Michael Regan said if the system can save one life, then its money well spent.
“Cardiovascular disease claims one life every 15 minutes which is a very scary statistic. I’m so please we are able to roll our ZAPSTANDS across the region – the technology is just amazing and simple to use in an emergency.
“These machines are accessible 24hours a day which mean anyone can use them and they are monitored so as soon as you pull out the defibrillator a call to triple-0 is made so help won’t be far away, but in the meantime a cardiac arrest victim has a chance of survival.
The Zapstands are located in the following locations:
• Millers Reserve, Manly Vale
• Forestville War Memorial Playing Fields (Melwood Oval), Forestville
• John Fisher Park Netball, North Curl Curl
• Playing Fields North Narrabeen Reserve, North Narrabeen
• Playing Fields Careel Bay
• Plus the original installation at Cromer Park
The Zapstands are over 2.3metres in height so they are highly visible and easy locate, the AED performs self-checks on all main components (battery, circuitry pads, software and pads) to ensure reliability and report back-to-base any faults so they are rectified quickly.
The Zapstands also provide a “RescueCoach” to voice prompt the rescuer on what to do. Once the pads are applied to the victim it analyses their heart rhythm and will administer a shock as required then instruct the rescuer to perform CPR.
General Manager of Cardiac Responder, Reno Aprile said timing is critical to survival chances.
“Properly implemented defibrillators are vital to surviving cardiac arrest and we are delighted to be partnering with Northern beaches Council along with other local stakeholders to provide these lifesaving systems to the community.
“We are extremely proud to have saved 69 lives since 2009 with our patented defibrillator system” Mr Aprile said, “and we are sure there will be many more as these Zapstands are rolled out.” Mr. Aprile said.