By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
NURSE Trish Wilson only started at Narre Warren South P-12 College this year but she has already gone a long way to making a difference at the school.
Ms Wilson has succeeded in campaigning for a defibrillator at the school’s medical centre.
While the Department of Education states that defibrillators are not a necessity, Ms Wilson felt it was a very important piece of equipment to have, especially for a school which caters to more than 2000 students and staff.
“It is a surprising cause of deaths, it’s a sudden cardiac arrest, and I thought it was important to have a defibrillator” she said.
“They have a successful recovery rate; they change the heart’s rhythm and get it going again.”
The school’s defibrillator is automatic, unlike those in hospitals, which allows for it to be easily used if anyone at the school requires emergency assistance.
But, thankfully, it hasn’t needed to be used yet.
Ms Wilson said she was eternally grateful to Total Tools in Lynbrook for sponsoring the defibrillator and purchasing the $1700 product.
“I contacted Total Tools and told them what we were after and sent them the information about the product and the cost,” she said.
“Total Tools have done lots of sponsorship with the VCAL department in the past, supplying high visibility vests and other things.”
With the school planning to set up another first aid course to educate teachers on how to use the defibrillator, Ms Wilson said while she hopes she’ll never to have to use it, it is very comforting to have as a contingency.
“You never know if we’re going to need it,” she said.
“If we can save a life, it’s worth it.”
