BULAHDELAH Bowling Club has installed a portable defibrillator, providing the community with access to the life-saving equipment.

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The new device was funded jointly between the Club and a grant from the NSW Government’s Local Sports Defibrillator program.

Club Secretary Alan Freihaut said although the device is housed at the Bowling Club, it is available for the community to use in any life-threatening situation.

“I’d like to believe it will never need to be used, but its accessible placement will be a reassuring sight for sportspeople and spectators alike,” he said.

“We are fortunate to be near the tennis courts, swimming pool and showground, so we can quickly respond to a situation before the ambulance services get here.”

NSW Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres said the defibrillator program is all about saving lives.

“More than 33,000 Australians experience cardiac arrest every year,” he said.

“Early access to CPR and defibrillation can influence survival rates by up to 75 percent.”

As part of the Government program, staff took part in a free training session last week.

“These units are very easy to use with the machine talking you through the whole process,” Alan told News Of The Area.

Myall Lakes MP Stephen Bromhead said 10 sporting clubs in the electorate had been allocated funding in the first round of the program.

“The MidCoast has a rich history of enjoying community sport and we look forward to the installation of more of these portable life-saving devices in our region,” he said.

More than 2,500 defibrillators will be installed at community sporting facilities throughout NSW over the next four years.