Staff

The University of Tasmania is the first Tasmanian organisation to extensively install lifesaving heart defibrillators in the workplace.

Twenty lifesaving heart defibrillators have been installed at all UTAS campuses around Tasmania.

An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a first aid device used to treat someone suffering a cardiac arrest and is used to administer an electric shock through the chest wall to the heart.

The device has built-in sensors to assess heart rhythm and to determine whether defibrillation is needed and automatically calculates the level of shock required.

A machine, which costs $2725 also gives voice instructions to users and features a diagram that shows the user where to put the two electrodes on a heart-attack victim's chest.

UTAS Asset Management Services director Matt Smith said defibrillators were already employed in many public buildings in Australia.

“It was important that we provide this first aid device on all campuses and in public areas that are easy to access,” Mr Smith said.

“The earlier a cardiac arrest victim receives defibrillation, the better chance the patient has of survival.

“Research indicates defibrillation is most effective when carried out within three to four minutes of a sudden cardiac arrest.”

The defibrillators are all connected to an alarm system, which alerts UTAS security to call an ambulance if a device is removed from the wall.  Security is also automatically alerted if any of the defibrillators are tampered with.

Manager of biological safety and risk at UTAS, Rodney Teague, said the AEDs purchased were placed to provide a safety zone through the major campuses and to provide at least one AED at most sites.

“All new building and extensive upgrade projects will include an AED in the project work so the availability of AEDs will continue to expand to provide a safe environment at UTAS for staff, students and visitors,” Mr Teague said.

“And with more mature-age students studying at UTAS, it is important that the university provides a safe environment for those wishing to study later in their lives.”
UTAS and the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre is encouraging people aged between 50 and 70 years of age to participate in a project looking at whether studying at university can protect against ageing-related cognitive decline and dementia.

All staff and students that undertake first aid training will be taught about how to use the defibrillators.

Although the first aid defibrillators can be used without training, staff or students interested in getting defibrillator familiarisation training can contact UTAS diving officer Simon Talbot by email to Simon.Talbot@utas.edu.au

Caption:  UTAS Asset Management Services director Matt Smith demonstrates how the defibrillator is used on volunteer patient Andrew Southern.