Defibrillator for Donvale

by Neil Wakeman | 27 Mar 2014

Three Probus clubs that meet in the same church hall in Donvale, Victoria, have combined with the local council and the East Doncaster Baptist Church to purchase and install a cardiac defibrillator in the hall.

Above: The defibrillator has been installed, and a core group of members has been trained in its use.

Jim Keegan, Immediate Past President of the Probus Club of Donvale-Tunstall, last year submitted an application on behalf of the club for a community grant from the Manningham City Council for funding to purchase the defibrillator. 

The application was supported by the Probus Clubs of Donvale Hill and Donvale Central, as well as the Church, and Council recently provided $2000 towards the cost of the machine. The balance of the cost was provided by the partner clubs.

"The members of the three clubs, as well as many of the members of the Church congregation, are in the age group where a defibrillator could be needed at some time," said Jim. "The combined population of the partnering groups is around 450 people, so Manningham Council clearly thought that the joint approach was one that was worthy of their support."

The new machine, a compact automatic device that uses the latest technology available, has been delivered and installed, and a core group of members from each partner organisation has been trained in its use. According to the suppliers of the defibrillator, once attached to a patient suspected of having suffered a heart problem, the machine diagnoses the problem and provides audible step by step instructions to enable the operator to provide immediate assistance until emergency medical crews arrive.

"This is a lot like any other form of insurance that we all maintain," said Jim. "We hope that we will never need to use this potentially life-saving machine, but it is reassuring to have the equipment on site in case it is ever required."

Below: A member takes part in a demonstration of the new defibrillator's use.