Lifesaving technology guarded, just in case

IMPORTANT pieces of Surf Coast community safety infrastructure have a new look, with public defibrillators protected with polycarbonate cases.

Community groups are also planning an education course for local residents on how to use the potentially life-saving machines, which help survival rates of people who suffer heart attacks.

Anglesea Lions Club and the Bendigo Community Bank Anglesea have combined to replace the previous metal covers of the automated external defibrillators (AEDs) that had become badly damaged due to rust after years of exposure to sea air.

The Lions Club and local bank branch combined in 2018 to install the AEDs at prominent locations across Anglesea and Aireys Inlet.

Anglesea Lions Club’s Adrian Hunter said the new cases would help keep the systems available for public use for years to come.

“Five years ago, we and the Bendigo Bank community bank went halves and bought four new defibrillators in: three in Anglesea and one in Aireys Inlet.

“Over the years with the salt air, the cabinets have rusted out badly.

“In conjunction with the bank again, we’ve bought new polycarbonate cases, which won’t rust.”

The Lions Club is also working with Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club to host a community education session in coming weeks, to help promote awareness and familiarity with the devices in case

“We’re going to run a couple of training sessions for the public so they learn how to use them, so if they’re ever down the street and something happens they don’t freeze,” Mr Hunter said.

“They’re not hard to use, but it’s so people have the confidence, recognition and know where they are.”

The event is likely to be at the Anglesea SLSC towards the end of February, but final details are yet to be determined.

The district’s defibrillators are at Strapper Surf Aireys Inlet, and in Anglesea near 4Kings Coffee opposite Anglesea beach, and at either end of the main street shopping centre.