Life saving equipment is being installed across the Eurobodalla Shire.
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The Automated External Defibrillators (AEDS) were bought using proceeds from the Rotary Christmas Races at Moruya, in December 2016.
The AEDs were presented to the shire’s three Rotary clubs on Wednesday night during the celebration of Rotary International’s 112th birthday, hosted by Moruya Rotary Club.
The Christmas Races were organised by the Narooma, Batemans Bay and Moruya Rotary Clubs in conjunction with Moruya Jockey Club with the aim being of raising funds to purchase the life saving devices.
Rotary spokesman David Ashford said they raised about $25,000, which greatly exceeded their expectations.
“That was thanks to the Rotary raffle, a significant contribution from the jockey club, the hardworking Moruya Rotarians in the canteen, donations from Moruya Surf Club buckets, plus a matching grant from Rotary District 9710,” Mr Ashford said.
“We now need to ensure the defibrillators are placed in the best locations in the respective towns.”
The three Rotary clubs will determine all current defibrillator locations and ensure these latest AEDs are installed in the most appropriate locations in the three towns. An app listing their locations is being developed.
The AEDs were purchased from St John’s Ambulance and will be used when someone suffers a suspected heart attack.
St John’s business development manager Ryan Paterson demonstrated how they work.
He said the first four minutes after someone has a heart attack are vital.
“A shock from a defibrillator can save a life,” Mr Paterson said.
“They’re easy to use and maintain, require no training and the machine talks the operator through the procedure. You can’t hurt the person.
“The machine will only operate if it detects a charge is needed.”
Mr Paterson was so impressed with Rotary’s initiative in the Eurobodalla, he wants to get other Rotary clubs interested in similar projects.
Rotary International was founded by Paul Harris in Chicago in 1905. Since then Rotary has become one of the world’s largest service clubs with 1.2 million members in more than 200 countries.