Dhelkaya Health’s Community Health Nurse, Bron Grieve, is excited to announce that the Chewton Service Station has received a lifesaving Automatic External Defibrillator (AED). This vital equipment was generously donated by an anonymous supporter.

Bron said: “Defibrillators are lifesaving pieces of equipment that anyone can use. They guide you through what to do in an emergency.” For many years Bron’s goal has been to have defibrillators installed in accessible locations around the Mount Alexander Shire. Bron chose Chewton Service Station for its accessible location and longer opening hours.

The AED is located on the outside of the Chewton Service Station next to the front door. It is accessible to everyone in an emergency situation where someone may be experiencing a cardiac arrest. Research shows that if an AED is used within the first five minutes of someone collapsing, it gives that person a much higher chance of survival. With ambulance delays, the defibrillator could be the one thing that could save someone’s life.

The AED will be registered through Ambulance Victoria’s AED registry to ensure it can be easily located by anyone searching online for their nearest AED.

Bron said: “Registering your defib with Ambulance Victoria is critical. If the ambulance is going to be delayed, they will be able to identify where the closest defib is located.”

If you need to locate a defibrillator near you, head to Ambulance Victoria’s website. If you’re part of an organisation that has a defibrillator on site, make sure it’s registered and visible on the Ambulance Victoria website.