Australian Red Cross has been working to install automated external defibrillators throughout the CBD to use when someone suffers a cardiac arrest.

The first was installed at Tim Koerstz Pharmacy on Tamworth Street this week. Another two will be installed in Myall Street and Boundary Road.

Dubbo Red Cross first aid trainer George Chapman said at least another 20 AEDs were needed.

“The doctors tell me that they’ll save up to two lives a week. It’s a big save. The hospital treats 322 people annually in Dubbo with heart conditions and not all of those make it. This will help them,” Mr Chapman said. 

“We know that people who have out of hospital heart attacks normally don’t survive, but with these they do.

“They need to be no more than two minutes apart so they’re readily accessible, that’s why we need so many.”

Allan Warwick knows the importance of having a defibrillator nearby. Four years ago he collapsed on his way to work.

“I was going to work in an office that had 16 steps and I was feeling a bit off, I just thought it was a touch of asthma with the humidity up there, got to the top of the stairs and I couldn’t breathe. The office staff saw me, got me inside and sat me on a chair and apparently I just collapsed. I turned purple because I wasn’t breathing,” he said.

By good fortune, Mr Warwick said an employee had recently done a refresher CPR course and was able to start compressions. There were also paramedics about a kilometre away who were having a meeting, he said.

“Seven of them arrived and they started working on me with one of these machines. By using the machine eight minutes later they got sign of life and they got me back,” Mr Warwick said.

After being rushed to the hospital and undergoing numerous tests, doctors found Mr Warwick had had a clot on his lung, a pulmonary embolism.

“I owe my life to that machine. I’ve got a second chance,” Mr Warwick said.

“It’s so important these machines are around the place because they’re easy to use and they do the job.”

Two of the AED units have been donated by Dubbo RSL Memorial Club, the third has been donated by Club Dubbo. Mr Chapman said he had been canvassing local businesses to get more of the $3300 defibrillators installed.

Mr Chapman said his goal was to make Dubbo a heart-safe city.

Dubbo cardiologist Kanishka Kamaladasa has given his full support to the campaign.

“This is a great start to the heart-safe city campaign and I encourage the local businesses to embrace the initiative. It could save their life or the life of a loved one,” Dr Kamaladasa said.

Businesses which contain the AED will have a sticker on the window indicating its location in case it is required.