In Case of Emergency

Suffering sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), his life was saved by fast-acting bystanders who performed CPR and used the Club’s automated external defibrillator (AED).

Today, Heart of the Nation — a charity founded by Page following his recovery — is gaining traction promoting the importance of businesses having an AED on site.

“If it wasn’t for the quick-thinking CPR actions of those around me, and the publicly available defibrillator at Castle Hill RSL where I was performing, there is no doubt that I wouldn’t be here today,” says Page.

SCA claims 27,000 Australian lives each year. For every minute that passes without an AED being used, a patient’s chance of survival decreases by 10 per cent, which is why Heart of the Nation wants AEDs in clubs, shopping centres and other public places right across the country.

Heart of the Nation strives to provide gifted AEDs to community groups that cannot afford to purchase them. Last year, Castle Hill RSL Group (CHRG) donated nine AEDs to be deployed in first responder vehicles, Castle Hill Bowling Club and Walgett RSL — a rural club that CHRG supports through its adopted club initiative.

“Ultimately, we’d like to see AEDs available within three minutes of where anyone happens to be, which is why we’re set on educating organisations and individuals on the importance of having

AEDs on site and accessible when they’re needed,” Page says.

“Our easily recognisable Heart of the Nation brand acts as a symbol of participation for Heart of the Nation members who have an AED available for people to access and use,” he says.

CHRG became the first Heart of the Nation network member in May 2020. Since then, an additional 30 organisations have signed up, meaning there are now more than 400 Heart of the Nation locations in Australia.

“The Wiggles have a long association with CHRG and we are so pleased that a decision we made 16 years ago to install AEDs has had such a life-changing impact on one of the original Wiggles,” says CHRG CEO David O’Neil.

“We look forward to working with Greg Page and Heart of the Nation to urge others to install AEDs in order to save more lives. Popular community meeting places, such as clubs like ours, have a responsibility to protect the people who enjoy spending time in that place,” he says.

If your club is interested in becoming a Heart of the Nation network member, visit their website.