Recovered medical equipment back in action

Lifesaving medical equipment stolen from the Paihia isite has been recovered and is back in action.

Heartless thieves stole the automated external defibrillator (AED) on September 29 after the box containing the equipment was forced open.

A delivery driver found the defibrillator in Kaikohe a week later. It had likely been thrown out of a car window, and while it was a bit roughed up, it was still functional. The equipment was checked out by St John Ambulance and given the all-clear. It is now in a more secure case and back at the Marsden Road isite.

All Far North District Council isite centres have defibrillators available for public use in an emergency.

Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) pass a brief electrical current through the heart so the body’s natural pacemaker can re-establish a proper rhythm. AEDs won’t give a person an electric shock unless it is necessary, meaning that no one can be harmed by the device. Simple voice and visual instructions make it easy for anyone to use an AED in an emergency.

In December last year, the defibrillator at the Paihia isite was used to save the life of a tourist who was having a heart attack outside the building. Visitor Centre Consultant Chris Albrecht grabbed the defibrillator and attached the adhesive pads to the man’s chest. By following the instructions, he was able to restart the man’s heart and get him breathing again before he was airlifted to hospital.

For more information about AEDs, visit the St John website, where you’ll also find a video on how to use the equipment.

Photo: Paihia isite visitor information consultant Sophie Chmiela is happy to see the return of the AED in its secure box.