First season of safer swimming success with three new defibrillators at Goondiwindi Region pools

As the Goondiwindi Region’s pools close for the winter, Goondiwindi Regional Council is celebrating the first successful season of safer swimming thanks to the installation of three new defibrillators at the public pools in Goondiwindi, Inglewood and Texas.

Council installed the three new Automated External Defibrillators (or AEDs) at the start of the swim season.

The AEDs are simple and safe to use, and require no training or prior medical knowledge as the AED will guide the user through the entire process until help has arrived.

The swimming pool lessees/managers and staff at the Goondiwindi, Inglewood and Texas pools are also fully trained in First Aid, including how to use the AED in the event of an emergency.

Amy Brennan is the manager at the Goondiwindi Memorial Swimming Pool and said having an AED close at hand, when required, “could absolutely save a life.”

“We’ve had our first full swim season here now with the AED installed and thankfully we haven’t had to use it,” Ms Brennan said.

“As always with things like this, it’s something you want to have and not need rather than need and not have - so it’s such peace of mind for ourselves as well as the community in general to know it’s right here if ever it’s needed,” she said.

Defibrillation is designed to intervene if a dangerous heart rhythm is detected, to assist the heart to regain a normal rhythm. This allows oxygen to reach vital organs such as the brain, heart and lungs. AEDs cannot deliver an electric shock if the casualty has a normal heartbeat.

There are three steps to using an AED:

1. Locate the AED
2. Turn the AED on
3. Follow the audio and visual prompts given by the AED

Councillor Lachlan Brennan holds Council’s portfolio for Lifestyle, including Community Safety, and said every minute was critical when somebody is experiencing cardiac arrest.

“Time is so critical, and the sooner defibrillation is attempted, the more likely it will be successful,” Cr Brennan said.

“The stats are really shocking and prove just how important early defibrillation is during a cardiac arrest: for every minute a defibrillator is not used, the casualty’s chance of survival decreases by 10 per cent.

“That’s why it’s so important to have these devices in key public areas such as swimming pools, where they may one day be needed.”

In the event of an emergency, always call 000.