Defibrillators

For a person having a heart attack (sudden cardiac arrest, SCA), early access to a defibrillator can mean saving a life.

Defibrillators are located all over Norfolk, the Golf Club, the R.S.L., the Bowling Club, Foodies, Police, and the Dept. of Infrastructure Office at Kingston, our First Responders also have access to defibrillators in a community emergency.

Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone – anywhere. It is usually caused by an irregularity in the electrical activity in the hearts ventricular muscle, commonly known as ‘fibrillation’. When fibrillation occurs, the heart is unable to effectively pump blood around the body which then prompts the heart to go into cardiac arrest. A pulse of electricity must be delivered quickly to restore the heart’s normal rhythm and pump blood throughout the body.

Using a defibrillator in the first few minutes after a sudden cardiac arrest means you can increase the chance of survival by up to 75%.

Use a defibrillator when:

- A person has collapsed, they are not responding, they are not breathing

You do not need training to use one, however we do offer CPR and defibrillator training on the Island. The machine gives clear spoken instructions – all you need do is follow them – a defibrillator will not shock someone unless they need it.

For a map of Norfolk Island Community Defibrillators, email james.garden@stjohnnsw.com.au.

Remember:

As always, check for any danger to yourself, or the casualty.

If the patient is unconscious, call triple zero (000) immediately.

If the patient is not breathing, begin CPR.

For the full copy of the fact sheets, visit link

http://www.stjohnnsw.com.au/guides-defibrillator-guide

https://www.stjohnnsw.com.au/guides-heart-attack

Our next St John skill drill will be held March 11, St John Shed on Grassy Road, 1830 to 2000.

If you are interested in becoming a St John volunteer or, for more information, please email norfolk.island@stjohnnsw.com.au or james.garden@stjohnnsw.com.au