On Tuesday October 29th PP Charles Tran addressed the club in his role as a St John Ambulance First Responder, sharing essential first aid skills and demonstrating the use of the automated external defibrillator (AED), recently purchased by the club for deployment at the Boroondara Farmers Market.
The AED is a critical device, just as important as our fundraising efforts, because it has the potential to save lives. This initiative was championed by Past President, Mark Howlett, and with the support of PP Thelma Hutchison and the Bendigo Bank, we secured the necessary funding for this vital equipment.
 PP Mark Howlett, PP Charles Tran & Paul Shekleton |
The evening was filled with enthusiastic Rotarians eager to refresh their first aid knowledge after many years without training. Charles demonstrated the St John DRSABCD approach: Danger, Response, Send Help, Airway, Breathing, CPR, and Defibrillation. Many questions were asked, and Charles demonstrated how to use the defibrillator and perform CPR on a mannequin, reassuring everyone that using the AED is straightforward and not complicated.Our AED will be stored in the Farmers Market container next to the coats for easy access in case of an emergency, ensuring that retrieval is fast and efficient. Charles expressed his gratitude to the club for embracing this initiative to obtain the AED. Not only are we committed to raising funds to support our community, but we also now have the means to save a life if necessary. While we are always prepared, let’s hope we never have to use it—our goal is for patrons to enjoy their shopping at our wonderful market.
Additionally, Charles and his family have donated a first aid box to the club, so it can be stored alongside the defibrillator. A big thank you to the club, especially to Paul Shekleton and David Fallick and others on the Farmers Market Committee and Club Board, and to the Bendigo Bank who provided a generous grant, for making the AED available at our market.