NEW MINI DEFIBRILLATOR WILL SAVE MORE LIVES THAN EVER.
I'm Andrew White, the co-founder along with Sue Buckman of not-for-profit foundation Defib For Life (DFL). Sue's 19yo son died suddenly at football training in 2010. Since then, we've been actively pursuing a vision to see every victim of a cardiac arrest gain access to a defibrillator. Sue and I educate communities around Australia about sudden cardiac arrest and how the use of public access defibrillators can save lives.
THE REASON
I was an off-duty paramedic when Stephen collapsed suddenly, and despite our best efforts, we couldn't revive him. Our football club was without a defibrillator and the nearest ambulance greater than 20 mins away. Within a month of Stephen’s death, we discovered there had been a spate of young deaths at sporting venues. Not wishing this upon anyone, the circumstances of Stephen's death gave Sue and me the inspiration to take up this cause.
DEFIBRILLATORS SAVE LIVES
Through my work as a MICA paramedic and founder of Defib For Life, I have seen first- hand how crucial early defibrillation is to survive a cardiac arrest. Had our sports club owned a defibrillator, we may have been able to save Stephen. Those early minutes following a cardiac arrest are vital, with up to a 90% chance of survival if defibrillation occurs within the first few minutes. The chances are as low as 5% if no one starts CPR or if a defibrillator isn't available in those early minutes.
IMPACT SO FAR
Defib For Life has implemented more than 6000 community access defibrillators across Australia, with the best benefits in Victorian communities. Victoria's survival rates are now over 60% when bystanders start CPR armed with a defibrillator. That's a significant increase in survivor rates compared to when we first started. In 2018/19 alone, 97 lives were saved in Victoria as a direct result of layperson CPR and early defibrillation.
76% HAPPEN IN THE HOME
But public-witnessed cardiac arrests are not the most common place for them to occur. In fact, around 76% of all sudden cardiac arrests occur within the home. Can you imagine how many more lives could be saved if every home had access to a defibrillator? This could save hundreds, if not thousands, of extra lives. One of those lives could be a family member, friend, or passerby.
There are three major reasons for the lack of uptake of home defibrillators: the cost, size of the device and lack of awareness and education. Now that we better understand these facts, Defib For Life's No. 1 goal is to see a much-needed increase in home-based defibrillators.
NEW MINI DEFIB; smaller, lighter, more affordable.
The Australian made and designed mini defibrillator is much cheaper, smaller, and only slightly bigger than a mobile phone. It packs the same punch as a commercial-sized defibrillator but without the big price tag. It is extremely simple to use and exceptionally affordable.
Defib For Life has been waiting for this type of solution to evolve, which will see hundreds of more lives saved every year. Through our education and advocacy work, we continue the fight to mandate defibrillators in schools, workplaces, and public venues. Now that there's a solution, we will also seek to mandate defibrillators into every home possible.
SAFE AND EASY TO USE
We will continue to spread the word around sudden cardiac arrest, defibrillators, CPR or hand only chest compressions to ensure our communities are rescue ready. The Mini defibrillator will give more people than ever a chance to survive a cardiac arrest.
FIND OUT MORE
Defib's do save lives, the more of them in our communities, the more lives will be saved. For more information, get in touch and speak with either Sue or myself on:
1300 880 309.
andrew@defibforlife.org.au
sue@defibforlife.org.au.
Defib ambassadors fluff their lines
FUNNY MOMENTS!
Our Defib ambassadors, Andrew Gaze and Darren Lehmann both manage to botch the name of our product! The ever professional Chris Judd manages to nail it on the first try!
WORKPLACE
Your duty of care is to look after your workforce. Install a defibrillator to be prepared for an emergency.
SCHOOLS
Be ready to protect your students and their families from Sudden Cardiac Arrest.
COMMUNITY
Remember that sudden cardiac arrest can strike anytime, anywhere. Install a defibrillator now, don’t wait until it’s too late.
SPORTING CLUBS
Any time and any age – sudden cardiac arrest does not discriminate. Sports can stress the heart, so make sure you’re prepared for the worst.
AMBASSADORS
CHRIS JUDD
When a cardiac arrest occurs seconds become crucial every minute that passes equates to a 10% less chance of survival.
It is vital that witnesses of a Sudden Cardiac Arrest immediately call 000, start CPR and apply an automatic external defibrillator (AED).
Make sure your Club or workplace is protected with a defibrillator, have an AED on hand. It’s not just the athletes, think about your coaches, the parents, the supporters…. everyone who visits your Club.
Don’t wait ’til it’s too late, install a defibrillator now.
SAMANTHA JOBE (Survivor)
Samantha Jobe survived a heart attack thanks to the quick actions of the trainers at her gym and the use of a defibrillator from a nearby business.
“I am one of the lucky ones, but I will be forever grateful that one of the local businesses purchased a Defib and told their neighbours it was there for use. Being defibrillated quickly saved my life!”
DARREN LEHMANN
I support Defib For Life's vision to see defibrillators located in as many public places as possible.
I recently learned that 1 in 500 of us are living with an undiagnosed cardiac condition that could suddenly impact our lives. This fact became reality for me when at 4am on the morning of my 50th birthday I woke with a sensation in my chest that I knew wasn't right. I immediately called an ambulance and was soon after diagnosed with several blockages in my coronary arteries. My cardiologist explained to me that I was extremely fortunate not to have suffered a sudden cardiac arrest prior to my hospital admission.
Make sure your community is Rescue Ready by installing a life saving defibrillator.
SUPPORTERS
Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program
The Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program allocates $4 million over four years to assist sporting clubs across NSW in the purchase and maintenance of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).
An AED is a life saving device which delivers a controlled shock to an individual experiencing cardiac arrest, increasing their chances of survival.
The Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program provides NSW sports clubs and councils the opportunity to acquire an AED package for their club or sports facility at a reduced cost.
Sporting organisations and councils will be able to choose from a panel of approved AED Panel Service Providers and a variety of AED packaged services with the level of customer service that meets their needs.