SA Water has announced the implementation of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) at eight reservoir reserves throughout South Australia. This strategic placement of AED devices aims to provide immediate assistance for cardiac emergencies, potentially saving lives.
The reserves where these devices have been installed include locations with high public accessibility both in metropolitan and regional areas. These areas are frequented by a large number of visitors, making it a critical focus for installing life-saving equipment.
James Crocker, SA Water’s Senior Manager of Environment and Energy shared, “Any member of the community can access these life-saving devices when needed, with each AED located in a publicly accessible place, available during reservoir opening hours and carrying clear step-by-step instructions.” Explicit in their placement, the AEDs are installed near toilet blocks at various reservoir reserves to ensure they are both visible and accessible.
The chosen locations for these installations include four AEDs at Happy Valley, two each at Warren, Myponga, South Para, and Hope Valley whilst Barossa, Bundaleer, and Mount Bold will each have one device available. Additionally, all units have been registered with the SA Ambulance Service AED Register for streamlined emergency response.
AEDs are designed to be user-friendly, equipped with features that guide even untrained individuals through the process of defibrillation. This critical feature is designed to reduce hesitation among bystanders during an emergency, providing intuitive prompts and instructions.
Kate Clarke, Executive Director of Critical Operational Services at SA Ambulance Service, stressed the significance of prompt action during cardiac emergencies. She explained, “When someone suffers a cardiac outbound arrest, the heart is no longer pumping blood to vital organs in the body. Providing cardiac compressions and utilising an AED is where the community can step in to make an extraordinary difference.”
Clarke also pointed out the time-sensitive nature of such interventions. She said, “For every minute that we delay defibrillation, the chances of the person surviving a cardiac arrest decrease by 10 per cent. The early use of a defibrillator by members of the public can significantly increase a person’s chances of survival.”
These installations are part of SA Water’s ongoing initiatives to enhance community safety features in publicly accessible environments. By investing in such critical health technology, SA Water is helping to forge safer community spaces that are equipped to handle emergencies effectively.
For more info head to https://www.sawater.com.au/
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