Wollongong paramedic Mark McCarthy’s dream of having defibrillators installed on street corners is becoming a reality with the first one now set up outside Wollongong’s Novotel Northbeach.
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Mr McCarthy’s company Wollongong First Aid has installed an automated external defibrillator, available 24/7, for any member of the public to use.
Mr McCarthy said the outdoor defibrillator was a first for the region, and possibly Australia, and would allow residents and visitors to North Beach the best possible chance of survival in the event of an emergency.
‘’If someone is having a picnic at Stuart Park, or running along the beach or walking along the cycleway and suffers a cardiac arrest, then they are within a few minutes of getting to this lifesaving device,’’ he said.
‘’To increase the chances of survival a person needs assistance within three to four minutes of going into cardiac arrest - it might take an ambulance eight to 12 minutes or more to get to them.’’
With inbuilt security including GPS tracking, CCTV and alarms, Wollongong First Aid staff are able to monitor the device, safeguard it and be alerted to when it is used.
Mr McCarthy said the device came with simple instructions that any member of the public would be able to use, without fear of repercussions.
‘’The Good Samaritan Act protects people who are genuinely trying to help others – this device falls under those laws,’’ he said. ‘’Any attempt at first aid is better than no attempt, and this device will not deliver a shock unless the person is in a shockable rhythm.’’
Wollongong First Aid has funded the installation and upkeep of the device as a community initiative, and Mr McCarthy is working with council to have more installed.
He said Australian Resuscitation Council figures show there are around 30,000 cardiac arrests in Australia each year, with the majority occurring outside the hospital environment.
A defibrillator may increase the survival rate of a person suffering a cardiac arrest up to 85 per cent is used in the first few minutes.
‘’We need to take these devices to the people and install these devices where they will be accessible if there is going to be any increase in survival rates,’’ Mr McCarthy said.
‘’The plan is to have these all over the city.’’
