IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM DEFIB FOR LIFE
UPDATE No.3
On Friday, 19 February 2021, we met with Dean Sheezel, the managing director of Cardiac Defibrillators Australia Pty Ltd (Cardiac Defibrillators), with the view to gather more information about Cardiac Defibrillators’ non-supply of the replacement electrode pads and batteries that are still within the seven-year warranty periods, and to see if a resolution can be reached in respect of the reimbursement of repaid replacements that they cannot supply to you, the customers of Defib For Life.
As the meeting was conducted on a ‘without prejudice’ basis, we are not able to disclose the details of our discussions. However, Defib For Life and Cardiac Defibrillators have not been able to arrive at a resolution. Given those discussions, we have also concluded that it does not seem that Cardiac Defibrillators are willing or able to continue to supply these prepaid replacements.
Defib For Life treats these breaches by Cardiac Defibrillators of the supply agreement very seriously and we are taking legal advice as to the next steps to redeem some of our customers prepaid funds. We have received preliminary advice that recovery from Cardiac Defibrillators will be a drawn-out process and we are not expecting to see an outcome for some time. There is also no certainty what the outcome will be. Should Defib For Life be successful in redeeming some funds from Cardiac Defibrillators, we will endeavour to arrange a reimbursement on a pro rata basis amongst all the customers who have prepaid for the replacements but have not received them.
Defib For Life’s highest priority is to ensure that your defibrillators remain rescue-ready as much as possible. Since our last message we have been able source replacement pads and batteries for the G3 and G5 Powerheart defibrillators from an alternate source, supplier. These replacements are available at as close to cost price as possible and can be supplied to customers whose electrode pads and batteries are past, or close to, their respective expiry dates.
We have been able to achieve this favourable outcome as a true, not-for-profit organisation, and despite the circumstances which have been (and continue to be) out of our control.
If your defibrillator’s electrode pads and/or batteries are past, or close to, their expiry dates, Defib For Life would like to discuss an alternative solution with you. Please contact Sue Buckman via sue@defibforlife.org.au on how you can access these replacements from the alternate supplier, which are available to you at as close to cost price as possible.
Defib Maintenance Program
Community access defibrillator programs ultimately recognise the value its community places on every life within that community. Defibrillators play a vital role in helping to save the life of someone who's just suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. If you already have access to this life saving technology, it is crucial that it's maintained in a Rescue Ready state.
Our Defib Maintenance Program supports the importance you have placed on maintaining a Rescue Ready defibrillator. Our program will assist you in many ways, from providing periodical in field service of your defibrillator, supplying a full range of replacement items such as batteries, pads and rescue kits, to tracking the expiry dates of your device and it's consumables to ensure those vital components are never out of date.
Membership to our Defib Maintenance Program provides peace of mind that your defibrillator will be Rescue Ready in the event of a cardiac emergency.
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.