There are small portable devices dotted all over the Tasman District that are here to potentially save lives.
AEDs or automated external defibrillators are portable, emergency medical devices used to help somebody experiencing sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).
SCA happens when the electrical system of the heart becomes chaotic, causing it to stop beating effectively. It’s not the same as a heart attack; it’s an electrical problem, whereas a heart attack is a blood circulation problem.
SCA is one of the leading causes of death in Aotearoa New Zealand and can happen to anybody, anytime and anywhere.
Each year, more than 2,000 New Zealanders are treated for SCA away from a hospital, but early defibrillation, along with CPR, is the only way to restore the victim’s heart rhythm.
Often you will see an AED located at a workplace, school, supermarket, gym or public place such as a swimming pool, community hall or sports ground.
We have AEDs at the front desk of our Richmond Service Centre and at Richmond Library that can be used by anybody without any medical training, as they contain clear instructions for use.
The devices analyse the person’s heart rhythm, and if necessary, deliver an electric shock (a defibrillation) to help the heart get back to its natural rhythm.
Find out where the closest AED is at aedlocations.co.nz(external link) or download the AED Locations app on your phone.