It takes a village to save lives

It takes a village to save lives

Community Health Support (CHS) NSW, an emergency medical response network, has equipped 50% of its volunteer first responders with CellAED®, ensuring they have access to a life-saving defibrillator during medical emergencies within the eastern suburbs of Sydney.

Jesse Lenn, Co-Founder of CHS NSW set out with a mission to empower the local community with confidence in a medical emergency after identifying that fewer than 5% of Australians have basic first aid training, coupled with increasing ambulance wait times, even for high-priority emergencies.

Addressing these concerns head-on, CHS NSW provides and champions free first aid and CPR training, as well as the First Line Medical Response Service. A 24/7 hotline to call for advice, assistance, or emergency care that is resourced by a network of doctors, nurses, paramedics, and advanced first responders.

“Affordability of the CellAED^® device was certainly key to our decision to purchase 30+ devices for use throughout our community of volunteer first responders, plus the smaller size makes for an easy fit inside our volunteer’s first aid bags.”

CHS NSW calls on the surrounding eastern suburbs community to become trained first responders.

“Our volunteers have a passion for healthcare, first aid, and positively impacting the lives of our greater community,” says Jesse.

Volunteers have been called out to a variety of emergencies over the last few months either via their own 24/7 hotline, Triple Zero (000), or via GoodSAM, which is part of the NSW Ambulance Triple Zero (000) dispatch system that connects volunteers to patients in the critical first minutes of a cardiac arrest until paramedics arrive.

Volunteers who become first responders play a crucial role in enhancing community safety. Their dedication, training, and willingness to act swiftly in emergencies contribute significantly to the well-being and security of the community they choose to serve.

The portability of the CellAED^® makes it convenient for the volunteers to always have the device on hand and to be ready to go, no matter where they are.

“Whether our volunteers are nurses or doctors, university students, retirees, or anyone in between, they all come with a strong sense of willingness to help our community in a time of need and work together for the greater good of all people,” says Lynne Berson, Volunteer Co-Ordinator at CHS NSW.

“The simplicity of the CellAED^® is simply amazing, why would you not have one,” she added.

Organisations like CHS NSW are increasing defibrillator access within the community and providing life-saving treatment during sudden cardiac arrest.

DefibsPlus works closely with community responder organisations like CHS NSW, to get this innovative technology to people, fast. Getting CellAED^® out into the community and into homes is crucial to fostering a more resilient and prepared community.

“Our mission is to make defibrillators as common sense and commonplace throughout our community as a smoke detector,” says Louise Dawson, CEO DefibsPlus Australia and New Zealand.

Australian made and owned, CellAED^® is the world’s first personal defibrillator, which is affordable, portable, and easy-to-use and is described by Louise, as a “complete gamechanger.”

Give yourself and your community peace of mind and be prepared with your CellAED^® personal defibrillator.

If you are interested in joining CHS, please visit their website or email the team([email protected]).