Staff
Thanks to a shrewd investment by the Town of Rimbey, anyone using the community centre and the swimming pool can exercise or play with the knowledge that if a medical emergency arises involving the heart, a critical piece of equipment is readily available.
At a cost of approximately $1,200, town council recently purchased a new defibrillator that will be available in the arena during winter months and at the pool in the summer.
“The new defibrillator was approved by council when minor hockey recognized a need at the community centre for hockey players,” said Mayor Dale Barr. “We’ve had a defibrillator up there for a few years donated by the Sleigh, Wagon and Trail Club that was shared between the curling rink and the arena.
“Council addressed that concern and had agreed that another defibrillator would make it more accessible and easier to get at in the unfortunate case if an incident arises, so there was a motion put forth to purchase another. I think the important part of this one is that we have a defibrillator in the facility for use, but this one will be much closer to where the potential incidents can happen.”
Designed to be operated by virtually anyone in because of its simplicity, the portable units are clearly labeled with the proper procedures and could mean the difference between life and death.
“The ones I’ve seen have the instructions actually printed on the unit itself. It’s not a full ambulance-type defibrillator so it doesn’t require professionals to operate. It’s sort of follow the instructions and its main purpose is to act as a baseline to have something there for immediate use,” Barr said, “but it doesn’t replace the necessity to call an ambulance in the case of something happening.”
Either way, it all comes down to being prepared in the event of an emergency and ensuring that if needed, the proper apparatus is readily available.
“I guess that’s the goal; to make sure we have equipment on-site that doesn’t make us wish that we would’ve had it there,” Barr added. “This is a step forward to make sure that equipment that has recently been developed and designed is there to keep citizens safe and living longer.”