A new AED (Automated Electronic Defibrillator), that could save lives, has been installed at Irvine Square in Yass.
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The machine is located on the notice board outside of IGA and can be used when sudden cardiac arrest is suspected.
There is already an AED machine at Walker Park, however, Yass resident Sue Cassidy who drove the initiative, believed there should be an AED closer to the aged care population at Linton Village and Horton House/Warmington Lodge.
"Anyone can use the AED," Ms Cassidy said.
Opening the AED cabinet will activate an alarm to notify people of the emergency. Inside the cabinet are two pads that should be placed on the person’s chest. Once removed from the cabinet, the machine will explain when and how to use the AED, Ms Cassidy said.
The cabinet also has gloves, a razor to remove chest hair, scissors to cut clothes and a mouth guard for CPR.
“It’s a very simple machine, one of the ones you find at supermarkets,” Ms Cassidy said.
The new AED cost almost $2,500, according to Ms Cassidy, and was funded by the Coppabella Wind Farm.
“Thank you to Coppabella for making this possible,” Ms Cassidy said.
The machine was installed for free by local tradesman, Barry O’Mara of Vision Plus.
“I thought it was a good idea; one day someone might need it,” Mr O’Mara said.
Tootsie cafe owner Michaela Pothan is donating a plaque that will be placed next to the AED to show who it was donated by.
Ms Cassidy is also asking Hardware Rural and Garden and IGA to put up signs in their stores, pointing to the AED.