Sporting star Guy Leech was guest speaker at Rotary this month.
A champion swimmer, ironman, surf life saver and triathlete, Guy spoke about a life-defining moment seven years ago which led him down a new path.
Channel Nine journalist Charles Stewart, known as Chucky, had just finished paddling when he suffered a heart attack.
Leech attempted to resuscitate him before paramedics arrived 13 or 14 minutes later. He was rushed to the hospital, but after four days, Stewart passed away.
Guy discovered that had a defibrillator been available, his friend’s survival rate would have gone from 5 per cent to 70 per cent of surviving.
“Every three minutes, there is 10% less chance of survival,” he said.
Three months after Charles’ death, Guy decided to promote the advantages of defibrillators.
Three years ago, he met with Greg Page, the Yellow Wiggle whose life was saved by the quick action of a nurse who had access to a defib. They visited South Australia, and the Automatic External Defibrillator bill was passed that makes defibrillators mandatory in all public buildings, including schools, libraries, and sports facilities.
“In the next ten years, all states will likely have this,” he said.
Guy, Greg and others realised that of the 120,000 defibrillators across Australia, some don’t have working batteries, and others are out of warranty.
With 40,000 to 50,000 not working as they should, they started Project Defibrillator Hero. A QR code will be put on all devices to help monitor them and allow people to access them.
The next step in which Northern Beaches Rotary Clubs hope to become involved in mapping defib locations, checking batteries and uploading to a central registry.
Ken Farrow, President of the Rotary Club of Manly, has been working with Guy to plan the local pilot program, which will run as a pilot program on the Northern Beaches. It would then go out to other areas.
Ken said it would be a Rotary-led community effort, and young people would be asked to assist.
Getting all information into a central place and having easy access to it for members of the public could be a game changer in saving the lives of many.
“We have an ageing population, and the numbers dying from heart attacks far outweigh those who die of cancer or are killed in car accidents,” Guy said.
“With easily available defibrillators, it’s possible 70 out of 100 could be saved.”
The plan to turn the Northern Beaches into a “heart-safe community” is being worked on. Contact your local Rotary Club for more information, or email rotarynorthernbeaches@gmail.com
