Life-saving tech for 1000 caravan parks
Pollies push for grey nomad vote with $1 million defibrillator programThe Federal Government plans to spend $1 million to have defibrillators installed at around 1000 caravan parks across Australia this year, as part of a joint safety initiative with the Caravan Industry Association of Australia.
The peak industry body would help manage the implementation of the program on a 50:50 partnership, with caravan parks contributing half the cost of each defibrillator.
CIA CEO Stuart Lamont welcomed the proposed funding that he said “will ensure that if a person suffers a heart attack in a caravan park that lifesaving help is close to hand”.
“Caravan parks are popular holiday destinations – particularly with senior Australians who are at an increased risk of heart attack,” Lamont said.
“We also know that in rural and regional areas it can take longer for an ambulance to arrive, given the distances they sometimes have to travel.”
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said the roll-out would make it safer for those heading off on caravan and camping trips to regional Australia.
“Research shows that if a person is defibrillated within the first five minutes of collapse, their chance of survival is around 90 per cent,” he said. “For every minute that this is delayed, the chances of survival decrease by up to 10 per cent.”
“This initiative will save and protect lives."
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