By REBECCA BILLS
A SMALL plaque has been hung next to the donated defibrillator at Mount Evelyn Chemmart to thank Joan and Victor Chittenden.
Mr and Mrs Chittenden donated a new defibrillator to the Mount Evelyn community after Mr Chittenden read in a local newspaper that one was donated to the community of Montrose.
“I thought if they can do it we could donate one to the Mount Evelyn community so I had a chat to Joan about donating one,” he said.
The couple, who have lived in the area for more than 40 years, said they have watched the town grow into what it is today.
“Now with all the new shops and people we want everyone to be safe,” Mr Chittenden said.
“I’m not saying that everyone is going to pass out, and we certainly don’t want them to, we just want it there as precaution.
“The nearest ambulance is around 10 minutes away and that is 10 minutes of waiting time if someone needed one.”
Mrs Chittenden said they are thrilled the defibrillator is located at the pharmacy.
“We paid cash for it out of our own savings – we are pensioners, too,” she said.
“Hopefully we are not the first ones to have to try it.”
Deputy Mayor Maria McCarthy said the town is privileged to have people such as the Chittendens to provide such a service to the community.
“It just means now that if people need that particular service they can come here on any day as both the IGA and Chemmart are open seven days a week,” she said.
“There is no fear now that if someone needs a defibrillator there is one handy – it’s very convenient and we are very lucky to have two in one town.
“On behalf of the community I would like to thank Joan and Victor for their generous contribution.”
According to Mount Evelyn Neighbourhood Watch, the best chance of survival for those experiencing cardiac arrest is effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) combined with early defibrillation.
“Using an automated external defibrillator (AED) on a casualty who has experienced cardiac arrest is vital to their survival,” the report said.
“The AED delivers measured electric shocks to attempt to restore the heart to a normal effective rhythm.”
