Fresh@Heart at Wardell is a Heart Safe Place with an AED onsite in their workplace

International Paramedic College recently delivered a new Lifepak CR2 Defib unit or AED (Automated External Defibrillator) to Brianna Essex Office Manager and Jack Pipo HR and Operations Manager at Fresh@Heart.

Fresh@Heart produces cucumbers for the Coles supermarket chain in East Wardell near Ballina in Northern NSW. They are a family owned amazing success story and great local business that has been continuing to provide employment in the local area successfully for 35 years. What a great local “big hearted” business.

Brianna from Fresh@Heart said “I attended a first aid course in Ballina with International Paramedic College and I was so impressed with the idea of having an AED or Defibrillator in our workplace, and I saw the value of having an AED close at hand in an emergency. We are a little out of town at Wardell and we have about staff working here at Fresh@Heart. I was concerned because someone we know recently had some cardiac problems and an Ambulance had to be called. Also, we are not getting any younger and we worry about our staff, we’re like a family out here and a bit away from things and so we need to look after each other”.

Jay from International Paramedic College came out and demonstrated to us how to use the AED and what to do in an emergency. “I hope we never have to use it, but knowing that it’s there gives us some “piece of mind”.

Fresh@Heart

Fresh@Heart has put a great AED or “Defib Machine” at its location at East Wardell, near Ballina on the NSW, North Coast. They employ about 60 people at a great facility and set-up they have at Wardell.

They purchased the AED and a great AED cabinet which provides for easy and recognisable access to the AED for all workers and visitors to the site and with training and support locally from International Paramedic College.

Why Buy an AED?

Its a smart move being cardiac safe because the Australian Resuscitation Council says “for every minute defibrillation is delayed there is a 10% reduction in survival.” In Australia you should consider the 7 reasons why you need an AED?

Did you know why you might need an AED?

Four people under 35 suffer a sudden cardiac arrest in Australia every week.
Around 20,000 Australians suffer a cardiac arrest outside a hospital every year.
The first 3-5 minutes after sudden cardiac arrest hold the key to survival.
The survival rate if you have a cardiac arrest outside of hospital is approximately 10%
An AED applied early can change the survival rate dramatically.

While you don’t need any training to use an AED but training will help reduce the time to first shock, helps you know how to put the pads on and feel like you know what you are doing. First Aid training and CPR courses will help people feel more confident in using an AED and providing CPR but this AED is designed to be simple to use and can be used by people without formal training. So our advice is don’t be scared if you need to use one on somebody.

Look at the video below to see how easy they are to use, turn them on and follow the prompts.

Why did Fresh@Heart buy an AED ?

Because The Key To Survival in Sudden Cardiac Arrest is the “Time to First Shock.”

International Paramedic College

Simply put, an AED in your workplace gives everybody a better chance of survival in the event of sudden cardiac arrest.

We recommended the Lifepak CR2 AED to this organisation because we believe it is so simple to use in an emergency, it has adult and paediatric capability and I believe it represents the best value defibrillator for their needs.

Craig Nolan

CEO and Paramedic, International Paramedic College