A FREE CPR and AED awareness session will be held for residents at 5pm, Thursday 13 November 2025 at the Griffith City Library, thanks to a new community initiative by the Heart Foundation.
The session is part of the Heart Foundation's Heart of the Nation program and will be delivered by local volunteer community trainers. The program aims to equip everyday people with the skills and confidence to respond effectively if someone nearby experiences a sudden cardiac arrest.
This community training complements Griffith City Council's recent efforts to enhance public safety through the installation of a 24/7 accessible Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in Griffith's CBD. The AED, which will be located on the exterior wall of the Kooyoo Street Kiosk, will provide a life-saving resource in a high-visibility, well-lit location close to major community events such as Punjabi Mela and the Banna Lane Festival.
Griffith Mayor, Councillor Doug Curran, said the initiative reinforces Council's commitment to community wellbeing.
"In a critical situation, every second counts. Having a defibrillator accessible 24/7 in our CBD, supported by free community training, could be the difference between life and death. It's a simple step that empowers our community to save lives," Councillor Curran said.
More than 32,000 cardiac arrests occur outside hospitals every year in Australia. Immediate action, calling Triple Zero (000), starting CPR, and using an AED, can dramatically increase a person's chance of survival.
The free session will cover how to:
- Recognise the signs of cardiac arrest
- Call 000 and respond quickly
- Perform CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)
- Use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator)
This session is open to everyone and requires no prior experience or medical knowledge.
Bookings are essential and can be made at https://events.humanitix.com/griffith-november-25
