Members of the Football Margaret River and Hawks Cricket Club have received an important boost to sports safety as part of ‘Project Defib’, a Red Cross initiative helping groups to develop their emergency response training.
Along with a brand new state-of-the-art defibrillator, a group of members also received lifesaving CPR training.
The sporting clubs have expressed their gratitude at the support and assistance received in obtaining new, state-of-the-art emergency first aid and resuscitation equipment this month.
“Project Defib is a Red Cross initiative available offering subsidised costs on industry leading defibrillators for sporting Clubs, schools, not for profit organisations to enable this vital piece of equipment to be more readily at hand if the need arises,” said Football Margaret River’s Ange Longmore.
“Statistics have proven immediate access to a defibrillator can lead to over 70 percent survival rate if applied within minutes of a sudden cardiac arrest.”
A joint venture between the two clubs, assisted by the Shire of Augusta Margaret River by way of a $1000 grant towards the project, saw the purchase of the the defibrillator and installation this month.
“Members of both clubs also received CPR and defibrillator training from Lois Barugh of our local St John Ambulance Service,” Ms Longmore said.
“We are all so grateful for Lois’ time, for the help from the Shire and the program in general to allow us to provide this important piece of equipment.
“We hope to never have to use the defibrillator, but if it is needed, it’s there and accessible and it could very well save a life.”
Margaret River Hawks Cricket Club’s Michael Earl said having the equipment onsite gave players and friends and family a sense of security knowing emergency response could be given so quickly.
“When things like this happen, thankfully very rarely, time is of the essence and we really do feel like this could be the difference between life and death in some serious cases,” Mr Earl said.
“It’s been so beneficial partnering up with the Football Margaret River group and doing the CPR training, which our clubs take very seriously to ensure the health and safety of all our players, as well as spectators and officials,” he said.
Nicky Lefebvre
I am a journalist, photographer and content creator based in the beautiful Margaret River wine region, covering all aspects of our community including local news, sport, entertainment and events, as well as providing a platform for our readers to share their voices direct from regional Australia.
I am a journalist, photographer and content creator based in the beautiful Margaret River wine region, covering all aspects of our community including local news, sport, entertainment and events, as well as providing a platform for our readers to share their voices direct from regional Australia.
