Public defibrillators are accessible anytime to help save people suffering cardiac arrest.
Camera IconPublic defibrillators are accessible anytime to help save people suffering cardiac arrest. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

St John appeals for Defib Drive donations

Staff WriterWanneroo Times

ST John WA has identified 100 locations than need public defibrillators and has asked local communities to help fund installation of more devices.

It identified 46 locations in the northern suburbs and 29 in Perth’s south that need the devices as well as several regional sites for the Defib Drive appeal.

Those include Jindalee,Mindarie, Yanchep, Alkimos, Two Rocks, Currambine, Iluka, Kinross, Ocean Reef, Heathridge, Wanneroo, Sinagra or Ashby, Kingsley, Hillarys, Wangara, Alexander Heights and Kondoola.

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With more than 33,000 Australians dying from cardiac arrest each year, St John said the single biggest factor in improving survival rates was the time taken to administer early CPR and defibrillation.

It said defibrillators were easy to use and a Triple-Zero (000) operator can direct a caller to the nearest unit available.

“A cardiac arrest can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender or health status,” medical director Paul Bailey said.

“Last year, St John WA recorded a 53 per cent increase in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates with 172 survivors, compared with 113 the previous year.

“This unprecedented increase in survival rates is largely due to better access to defibrillation.

“We have identified these 100 locations as having the greatest need for a defibrillator – as we believe every West Australian deserves to live on ‘Defib Drive’.

“You can give a potentially lifesaving gift this Christmas and help communities across WA become more resilient.”

Visit stjohndefibdrive.com.au for more information or to donate.

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Camera IconImage Credit: Supplied/Supplied