Manager of Simplicity Funerals Nelson, Anna Loach with the new AED unit, which is located in the chapel at 69 Haven Road, Nelson.

Funeral home to save lives

0
1574

Simplicity Funerals in Nelson are now in the business of saving lives.

The funeral home has just installing an AED (automated external defibrillator) unit in its chapel as a community service.

The AED unit is being supplied by St John and being placed in the funeral home chapel, with the location of the AED uploaded into the 111 Emergency Call Centre database.

Simplicity Funerals Nelson location manager Anna Loach says an item heard on air recently raised awareness of the importance of having medical support available in places of public assembly.

“Our chapel is a place of regular public assembly, often with a large number of people attending, so we saw it as a community responsibility to make medical support available should it be required,” she said.

“A funeral can be a difficult and stressful time, with the potential to heighten anxiety that in turn could lead to a medical emergency. With the AED unit onsite, our staff will be able to provide immediate help for the person until emergency services arrive.”

As part of a wider community support initiative the location of the AED unit will also be included on the ‘AED (automated external defibrillator) Locations’ phone app, so if a medical emergency occurs out in the community people will be able to source the location and use the defibrillator.