Doc Hughes installs public defibrillator

July 30, 2024 BY Abby Pardew

Doc Hughes owner Tan Bennett (middle) with David Nankervis and Roger Able purchased the public access defibrillator. Photo: ABBY PARDEW

A TORQUAY restaurant has kept the community front of mind in buying a public access defibrillator.

The operators of Doc Hughes purchased the machine with the support of first aid trainers David Nankervis and Roger Abel who contributed to the defibrillator.

Doc Hughes owner Tan Bennett said getting a defibrillator was something the business had wanted to do for a while.

“There’s a lot of swimmers, a lot of tourists, a lot of people walking and you never know when you might need one.

“I had David Nankervis come in and Roger Abel and I mentioned it to them and they started to think about it as well.”

The life saving machine can be found inside the veranda at the Torquay restaurant. Photo: ABBY PARDEW

Following two medical emergencies over the summer, the three of them decided now was the right time to make the purchase and they did not want to hold off any longer.

Mr Nankervis and Mr Abel volunteer with Ambulance Victoria and also both run their own businesses in CPR and first aid training, and saw the need for the machine in Torquay.

“As ambulance officers and also as first aid trainers, we understand and know only too well that early intervention with somebody suffering a cardiac event leads to better outcomes,” Mr Nankervis said.

“Getting a defib onto a patient in the first couple of minutes means that you can analyse a heart rhythm, deliver a shock as necessary and can actually benefit greatly in the overall outcome.”

The machine can be found inside the veranda at Doc Hughes, is available 24 hours a day, and will also be registered with the GoodSAM app so others know where it is.

The defibrillator is available 24 hours a day in case of an emergency. Photo: ABBY PARDEW

“Anybody just walking along the street that knows the defib is there or can see the signage has public access to it as well, so hopefully it will be a great asset,” Mr Nankervis said.

To better equip the community during a medical event, Mr Nankervis and Mr Abel will be running free CPR and defibrillator workshops at Doc Hughes from August 12.

To keep up to date with the free CPR and defibrillator workshops, head to the Doc Hughes page on Facebook or email [email protected] for more information.