The East Taieri Church is home to a life-saving defibrillator thanks to someone's generosity.
Church member Sue Macaulay, the wife of senior pastor Martin Macaulay, attended a New Zealand Medical Association conference in August where she won a St John competition for an automated external defibrillator (AED), and decided to give it to the church.
An AED is an automated device used to restart someone's heart after a cardiac arrest.
Dr Macaulay said she wanted to donate it to the church as there were often crowds of people and it would be a good location.
St John health representative Tracie McAdams said"it's great to have it at a hub''.
East Taieri Church manager Leanne McKinlay said she was grateful for the donated AED, as they cost about $2800 to buy.
``Hopefully we never have to use it but it's good to have it here.''
About 1800 New Zealanders a year are treated for a heart attack happening in the community.
St John medical director Dr Tony Smith said survival was largely due to the quick actions of bystanders who initiated CPR or used an AED within minutes.
``For every minute without CPR or defibrillation, a patient's chance of survival falls by 10-15%.''
St John coastal Otago territory manager Doug Third said where there were large groups of people, there always should be an AED on hand.
``The bottom line is these do save lives.''
Mr Third said people should become aware of where AEDs were in their community.
The AED will be stored in the foyer of the East Taieri Church.
• To find out where an AED is in your area go to www.aedlocations.co.nz.
ELLA.STOKES @thestar.co.nz
