General

	A defibrillator honouring the memory of David Taylor (inset)

ASU donates heart defibrillator to Cairns Airport

From this week Cairns Airport will be a safer place for people with heart trouble, thanks to the presence of an on-site defibrillator donated by the Australian Services Union (ASU).

The donation is part of the ASU's program of promoting the installation of heart defibrillators at public venues, in memory of its late Western Australian and ASU National Executive member of nearly thirty years, David Taylor.

David suffered a heart attack at Perth Airport while working as a community volunteer and survived thanks to the heart defibrillator, which had been installed at the airport only two days previously.

On being released from hospital David worked closely with the St John Ambulance and decided, with his family, to donate a portable defibrillator to Perth Zoo. Tragically David passed away during the presentation of that defibrillator on 18 April 2007.

The ASU decided the annual presentation of heart defibrillators would be an appropriate way to celebrate David's memory and good work within communities around Australia.

ASU Queensland Services Branch Secretary, David Smith, said David Taylor was a passionate believer in workers' rights and a dedicated advocate for the safety and well-being of workers.

"The ASU's donation of these defibrillators helps to continue his work to protect the community. In fact, I am calling for the installation of defibrillators at all places where large numbers of people gather, work or transit.

"Hopefully, the ASU's efforts will inspire other organisations to make similar donations and inspire governments to promote such facilities at Australian workplaces and public venues. Airports are ideal as a starting point for their wider installation into such places.

According to the Australian Heart Foundation, cardiovascular disease, including heart disease:

• kills one Australian nearly every 11 minutes
• affects more than 3.4 million Australians
• prevents 1.4 million people from living a full life because of disability caused by the disease
• affects one in five Australians, and affects two out of three families
• claimed the lives of almost 48,500 Australians (34% of all deaths) in 2008 - deaths that are largely preventable.

"I am sure the Australian community is interested in any idea or program that can help reduce these tragic statistics," Mr Smith said.

ASU North Queensland Branch Secretary, Margie Dale, said defibrillators are simple devices that correct the rhythm of the heart.

"If they are used within four minutes of someone having a heart attack that person has a 50 per cent chance of survival. The American Heart Association says that when a person has a cardiac arrest, his or her chances of survival decrease by 7 to 10 percent for each minute that passes without defibrillation.

"That is why the presence of defibrillators in venues such as airports is vital. Important time is lost if you have to wait for an ambulance to arrive.

"Cardiac arrest can and does occur anywhere. It does not always happen at home or at a doctor's surgery or hospital. The stationing of defibrillators at key venues throughout the community will help reduce the impact of heart attacks.

"As a North Queenslander it is also great to know that Cairns Airport will now be a safer place for those with heart trouble," Ms Dale said.

Previous defibrillator donations by the ASU

The Cairns Airport defibrillator is the third such donation made by the ASU in memory of David Taylor. Below are the news items publicising the previous two.

Melbourne 2008-09

The Australian Services Union (ASU) has donated a heart defibrillator to Southern Cross Station in Melbourne to be used when visitors suffer heart attacks. Victorian Premier John Brumby launched the defibrillator this week. Read more here.

Perth 2007

Millions of people are closer to emergency medical help from today thanks to a trade union. The Australian Services Union (ASU) has donated a heart defibrillator to Kings Park, WA's most-popular tourist attraction, for when visitors suffer heart attacks. Read more here.