Coleraine community vows to shock your heart

May 30, 2016 | in Community News

The town of Coleraine has celebrated the launch of its first Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) after 12 months of fundraising.

Ambulance Community Officer (ACO) Kerrie Jones led the fundraising effort for Coleraine, in Victoria’s southwest, gaining the support of local businesses and organisations in the tight-knit community.

The new AED is stored / housed outside the Coleraine Pharmacy, meaning the town has access to the life-saving device, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Kerrie said the Coleraine Lion’s Club, the Apex Club and the Southern Grampians Shire Council were all committed to the AED and its launch was an important moment for the community.

‘We may never need to use the AED but if we do and it saves one life it will all be worth it,’ Kerrie said.

‘Effective Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) does a great job of keeping the oxygen pumping through your body until you can get that all important shock from the AED to get your heart started.’

Left to right: Tina & Hieu Nygen (Coleraine Pharmacy), Tony Oxford (AV), Kerrie Jones (ACO), Jane Coshett (Southern Grampians Shire Council), Barry Troeth (Lions Club) and Barrie Tooley (Apex Club)

The project was launched with a day of first aid education for local school students conducted by Ambulance Victoria’s Community Engagement team. These sessions are available to all schools and community groups free of charge.

To register for a session Call 1300 550 472 or email cpr@ambulance.vic.gov.au .

Don’t forget to register your AED device on Ambulance Victoria’s AED registration website http://ambulance.vic.gov.au/community-education/community/register-my-aed/