New AED installed at surf club

A publicly accessible automated external defibrillator (AED) has been installed at Ōrewa Surf Life Saving Club, which is available 24 hours a day.

The AED, funded by the Hato Hone St John Hibiscus Coast Area Committee, is mounted on the north wall of the surf club.

Hato Hone St John Hibiscus Coast area committee chair Barbara Everiss says having more AEDs available around the clock can make a critical difference during a cardiac arrest.

“When someone suffers from cardiac arrest, every minute matters. Early CPR and defibrillation can significantly increase a person’s chance of survival before an ambulance arrives,” Everiss says.

Around seven people experience cardiac arrest in their home or community each days.

Ōrewa Surf Life Saving Club president Faron Turner says the new AED complements the club’s role in keeping the community safe.

“Our volunteers help keep thousands of people safe each year, and we are pleased to extend that support beyond patrol hours by hosting a publicly accessible AED,” Turner says.

The installation comes ahead of Hato Hone St John’s annual Shocktober campaign, which encourages people to learn CPR and how to use an AED.

Now in its fifth year, the campaign aims to deliver the organisation’s 3 Steps for Life programme to more than 17,000 people nationwide.

As part of Shocktober, Hato Hone St John will take part in a family resilience day at Stillwater Hall Park, 1A Duck Creek Road, Stillwater, on October 18, from 10am to 2pm.

Members of the public will be able to learn how to respond to a cardiac arrest and use an AED.