AED For TK Shutter Reserve

📸Marina Bowshall (Preventive Health SA), Dana Wortley MP, Dr Mario Soteriou (MetroStars club doctor) and Paul Rhigas.

MetroStars is pleased to announce that we have been successful in receiving a grant to help subsidise the purchase of an Automated External Defibrillators (AED) through the State Government for TK Shutter Reserve.

It’s part of the Malinauskas Labor Government’s world-leading legislation aimed at making sure AEDs are accessible to everyone in the community in an emergency, which will take full effect from the beginning of next year.

AEDs are portable electronic medical devices that monitor heart rhythms and deliver assisted electrical shock (‘defibrillation’) in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest.

These devices make an extraordinary difference in the community, as every minute defibrillation is delayed to a person suffering a cardiac arrest, their chance of survival decreases by 10 per cent.

"Every minute matters in a cardiac emergency, which is why the State Government is making AEDs mandatory in public space," said Chris Picton MP.

"Our world-leading laws are aimed at saving lives by making defibs widely available across the state. We are supporting sporting and community clubs, and religious organisations, with a grants program that has already delivered close to 1,000 AEDs in the community.

I strongly encourage eligible clubs or organisations to apply. It could save a life.," said Picton.

MetroStars would also like to thank Dana Wortley MP - Member for Torrens, for her continued support and assistance with receiving this grant.

📸 Dr Mario Soteriou (MetroStars club doctor), Marina Bowshall (Preventive Health SA), and Paul Rhigas.

Preventive Health SA Chief Executive Marina Bowshall was on hand for the announcement.

"Preventive Health SA has provided funding to support the purchase of almost 1,000 AEDs across the state.I want to encourage any community group, sporting club or religious organisation to go to the Preventive Health website and check if they’re eligible for a grant. They could play a big part in bringing a life-saving device to their community. Improving access to AEDs across South Australian communities will save lives," said Bowshall.

AEDs require no training and can be used by anyone who recognises the signs of a cardiac arrest, when someone’s heart is no longer functioning correctly, and they collapse and stop breathing normally.

MetroStars club doctor, Dr Mario Soteriou was grateful for the grant to assist local clubs.

"The club and community of the North Eastern MetroStars are grateful to have received grant funding for a potentially life-saving AED. AEDs are essential devices that increase the chance of survival when someone collapses outside of hospital.This AED is installed near the pitch to not only benefit the players and referees directly but also the wider community who attend the matches," said Soteriou.

Adelaide man Paul Rhigas can thank an AED for saving his life when he collapsed while playing tennis last October. One of his friends started CPR and the others went to grab the AED, which they applied before paramedics arrived on scene. Mr Rhigas has survived three cardiac arrests and now has an internal defibrillator.

"I had a cardiac arrest, my colleagues, with no training, went into the clubhouse, grabbed the AED, turned it on, listened to the instructions – and they brought me back. They just had to know where it was and turn it on – it did the rest," said Rhigas.

"These devices are self-teaching – you don’t need to have medical training to help someone survive a cardiac arrest. I’m back playing tennis, and the club is looking at putting in a second AED as the building is 35 metres long,"  said Rhigas.