General News
8 December, 2023
Lismore receives new defib
LISMORE residents are in safer hands thank to a new life-saving automated external defibrillator (AED).
The AED was recently installed on the outside wall of the Bush Inn Café by members of the Lismore Lions, making it the town’s fourth publicly accessible device.
In September, Lismore was named as one of the newest Heart Safe Communities, a joint initiative between Ambulance Victoria (AV) and the Heart Foundation that aims to improve cardiac arrest survival rates.
AV Paramedic Community Support coordinator Olivia Glanford said the new AED was a welcome addition.
“When it comes to cardiac arrest, an AED can mean the difference between life and death, so it’s great to have another one in the area,” she said.
“Minutes matter and the sooner a person receives cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and a shock from an AED, the better their chances of survival.
“We are incredibly grateful to Paul from the Bush Inn and members of the Lions Club working group for helping make this happen.”
Ms Glanford said anyone could use an AED, regardless of whether they had received training.
“AEDs are safe and easy to use, you simply open it up and it will tell you what to do,” she said.
“The device will not deliver a shock to the person, unless it is necessary.”
Every day in Victoria, 20 people suffer a cardiac arrest and only one in 10 survive.
Ms Glanford said the Heart Safe Communities program had increased CPR and AED awareness in the area, but that more was needed.
“The more people that know what to do in an emergency, the more lives will be saved,” she said.
“I’d also encourage Lismore residents to consider joining our local ambulance community officer (ACO) team.”
ACOs are first responders employed on a casual basis to work “on call” in rural and remote areas to support the crucial work of paramedics.
“Our ACOs are community-minded and committed to caring for the people around them,” Ms Glanford said.
“As an ACO, you are trained in advanced first aid and can provide early intervention at medical emergencies while an ambulance is on the way.”
A medical background is not required with all training provided by AV.
Applicants must be aged over 18 and available for a minimum of four shifts per month.
For more information about becoming a First Responder with AV, visit www.ambulance.vic.gov.au/careers/become-a-first-responder.
Current registered 24/7 AEDs in Lismore are located at:
Australia Post, 35-39 High St, Lismore;
Victoria Police, 61 High St, Lismore;
Gorst Rural, 135 High St, Lismore; and
Bush Inn Café Lismore, 24 High St Lismore.