About 10 years ago, Derek Layden witnessed a man suffer and die from a heart attack, but did not know where to find a defibrillator.
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Later, an AED (automated external defibrillator) was found in the location; however, no one had been aware it was there.
Mr Layden says he still wonders whether that defibrillator could have saved the man's life.
"If there was a defibrillator there, it would have been used," he said.
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A member of the Ironmine Cruisers - the Crookwell Car Club - Mr Layden was present at the club's official presentation of a potentially life-saving defibrillator to the IGA Crookwell supermarket.
As well as the defibrillator, the car club arranged to install signs, valued at $1950, to show the places to find AEDs in Crookwell.
A co-contribution was made by the Gullen Range Wind Farm (BJCE Australia) of $2145 in the 2019/20 community fund project.
It was important the community had access to and knowledge of defibrillators, said car club secretary Dianne Layden.
The portable machine can diagnose life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia, including heart attack, and re-establishes normal rhythm. It uses simple audio and visual prompts.
In recent weeks, AEDs have been installed at:
- the Memorial Hall, Denison Street; and
- the Crookwell Hotel (Top Pub), Goulburn Street.
Does Crookwell or the Upper Lachlan need another AED? Where would you recommend it be located? Share your thoughts in a letter to the editor:
