Life-saving defibrillators will be available at four Whittlesea sports clubs, thanks to the state government.
Whittlesea Horse and Pony Club, Mernda Dragons Rugby League Club, Whittlesea Ranges Football Club and Thomastown United Cricket Club are the latest clubs to receive the devices as part of a government plan to provide 1000 defibrillators to sporting groups.
Club members will be trained on how to use the devices.
Yan Yean MP Danielle Green said defibrillators were incredibly important at sports clubs because when cardiac arrest struck, there wasn’t a second to spare.
“Medical experts all say that early intervention greatly increases the like- lihood of survival during cardiac arrest. Having a defibrillator means players, parents and spectators can step in and take action until paramedics arrive.”
Nationwide, 30,000 people suffer cardiac arrest each year but fewer than 5 per cent survive, often because help doesn’t reach them in time. A person’s chance of survival during cardiac arrest decreases by 10 per cent with every minute that passes.
Thomastown MP Bronwyn Halfpenny said she was delighted the government was making a positive investment in the safety of participants and spectators.
“I hope these four sporting organisations never have to use their defibrillator, but it’s reassuring for players and spectators to know they’re in place.”
The four devices will be registered with Ambulance Victoria’s database, giving triple-0 operators a guide to where to find one when an emergency strikes.
