The Minister for Sport and Recreation, Shane Rattenbury MLA, has announced the placement of Automated External Defibrillator’s (AED’s) at five ACT Government Enclosed Ovals.
“Some 30,000 Australians suffer cardiac arrest each year with less than five per cent surviving, often because help doesn’t reach them in time,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“Every minute counts when it comes to treating sudden cardiac arrest. For every minute that passes without defibrillation, the chances of survival decrease by around 10 per cent.
“By providing these AED’s at Greenway, Kippax, Gungahlin and Phillip Enclosed Ovals as well as Woden Park, we can ensure that players and spectators can receive immediate and appropriate treatment should it be required and doing the best we can so that an emergency does not become a tragedy.
“While AED’s are designed for use by anybody, we still strongly encourage everyone to learn CPR. As part of the roll out of the AED’s, the ACT Branch of Sports Medicine Australia will be providing free CPR training to sporting groups who use the five enclosed ovals that are now equipped with this lifesaving equipment.
“I thank Sports Medicine Australia for partnering with the ACT Government in this pilot program. We’re pleased to roll out our program to some of our larger facilities – even though we hope the AED’s will never be needed.” Mr Rattenbury said.
The roll out of AED’s at five ACT Government Enclosed Ovals adds to those already in place at Manuka Oval, Canberra Stadium and Stromlo Forest Park.