Life-saving equipment for local sporting organisations

SPORTING organisations across the Lismore state electorate can now apply for a share of $500,000 in NSW Government funding for new life-saving defibrillators.

The Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program provides up to $3000 to eligible sporting bodies to buy automated external defibrillators for their facilities.

State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said the region had high participation rates in organised sports.

“It’s critical that as many local sports facilities as possible are equipped to respond to potentially life-threatening incidents,” she said.

“This popular program traditionally has had a strong take-up rate, so I urge eligible sporting organisations to make an application in this funding round to increase the coverage of defibrillators in our towns and villages. Every life saved is worth it.”

NSW Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said the first few minutes following an incident were critical.

“With more than 9000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in NSW each year, access to a defibrillator can mean the difference between life and death,” he said.

“The NSW Government wants to ensure people participating in sport have access to this lifesaving equipment. The Local Sport Defibrillator Program ensures clubs are equipped to respond to these life-threatening emergencies.”

Co-deputy director of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute Professor Jamie Vandenberg said being able to access a defibrillator quickly and easily could be the difference between life and death.

“Survival rates nearly double if a defibrillator is used in the first few minutes of a cardiac arrest,” he said.

“Currently, just one in 10 people who have a sudden cardiac arrest outside of hospital will survive.

“This is a sobering statistic, but it’s one we can change for the better by installing more of these life-saving devices in sports clubs across the state.”

More than 2000 defibrillators have been installed across New South Wales since the program began.

Applications close on November 27. For more information, including eligibility criteria and program guidelines, visit sport.nsw.gov.au/grants/local-sport-defibrillator-grant-program