IN 2019, the Rotary Club of Bellingen identified a need for access to defibrillators in the local community.

Advertise with News of The Area today.
It’s worth it for your business.
Message us.
Phone us – (02) 4981 8882.
Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au

More than 30,000 Australians suffer from sudden cardiac arrest every year of which only 5% survive.

Immediate access to a defibrillator can lead to a 70% survival rate if applied within 4 minutes.

Within 12 months, the Rotary Club of Bellingen raised a total of $10,018.50 through a combination of local club fund raising activities, a Rotary Foundation Grant and a $1000 contribution from Essential Energy through their community support program.

In October 2020, four life saving Defibrillator devices were purchased from local Coffs Coast supplier, TachMed Australia and presented to the host businesses and sporting groups for use by the general public.

The devices are located at Bellingen Fitness Gym, Raleigh; Urunga Pharmacy, Urunga; Bellingen Pharmacy, Bellingen; and Connell Park, Bellingen.

Cardiac arrests are not just restricted to the elderly or high risk groups.

A cardiac arrest can occur in children due to drowning or choking, receiving an electric shock, respiratory related medical conditions such as asthma and anaphylaxis, trauma, poison or congenital abnormalities.

Using a defibrillator within 4 minutes on a person suffering a cardiac arrest can be the difference between the cardiac arrest victim living or dying.

\While the Rotary Club of Bellingen hopes the defibrillators will not need to be used, the devices are now strategically placed throughout the shire, providing the very real potential to save lives in years to come.

By Rotary Club of Bellingen