Waikato District Council is increasing the community’s access to lifesaving equipment by installing Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) at key locations throughout the district.
Offering a lifeline during sudden cardiac arrests, arrests, AEDs increase survival rates by enabling swift action during an emergency, restoring the natural rhythm of the heart and providing time for professional medical help to arrive.
“We recognise the critical role these devices play in an emergency and we’re proud to be able to offer lifesaving equipment to the community,” says Waikato District Mayor Jacqui Church.
“When sudden cardiac arrets strike, every second counts and without immediate intervention, survival rates weaken by the minute.”
The community AEDs can be found at Waikato District Council libraries in Ngaaruawaahia, Tuakau, Huntly, Te Kauwhata and Raglan. As well as our Tuakau office, Meremere Community Hall, and the public toilets at Raglan Domain and Brownlee Street in Ngaaruawaahia.
According to the latest Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Registry Report, there has been a significant decline in the survival rates of community-based cardiac arrests discharged from hospital for the year ending June 2022. This decline has been linked to the limited numbers of AED's available for use within many local communities.
“We hope to see the survival rates of community cardiac arrests within the Waikato district start to increase, while the impact on whaanau and friends lessens.”
To help improve these statistics, Waikato District Council will additionally offer several training sessions on to help the community understand what an AED is and how to utilise the machine in an emergency.
Basic CPR techniques to support the use of an AED will also be available and, thanks to the Better Off Funding Scheme, this training will be completely free of charge.
The sessions will run from Waikato District Council libraries over the coming month, and if needed, more sessions can be arranged.
With training, community members will be able to follow the device's prompts and administer a life-saving shock with confidence.
“Medical emergencies are a powerful reminder of how training, preparedness, and the right equipment can make the difference between life and death, turning moments of crisis into opportunities of hope.”
