About 70 people attended the official defibrillator machine unveiling at the Andamooka Health Service on Friday night.
The health service hosted a barbecue to unveil the $30,000 machine and demonstrated what it does on a dummy.
It was held to thank key community members and groups for their fundraising support.
Frontier Services regional manager Marina Izatt, who manages multiple health services across regional South Australia and Queensland, said she was amazed at the Andamooka community for its support but not surprised.
“The community has always been a very strong supporter of the health service,” she said.
“They have always been there to support us whether it is by raising funds, volunteering or working bees, there’s a sense of pride, it’s just an amazing community, a real stand out.”
Ms Izatt said the machine was needed to cope with population growth due to the future mine expansion, and the possible strain that could have on the health service’s resources.
It was decided a new defibrillator machine could be vital to cope with that.
So what is a defibrillator machine?
Fibrillation is the medical term for when your heart is not beating correctly.
A defibrillator is the devise used to send an electric shock to your heart to stimulate it back into its regular beating mode.
Remote area nurse Di Williams said the new multi-function machine used less electrical energy to deliver an effective shock, making it less damaging to the cardiac muscle and safer for patients.
It has about eight different functions instead of just defibrillating.
“Previously we would have to carry seven or eight different bags of equipment but now we can monitor oxygen saturations, blood pressures, it monitors ECG (electrocardiogram) levels, and it does external pacing, taking the place of a pacemaker until one can be installed, and a whole range of other things.
“It’s fantastic we can pick up one bag and go.
“In comparison to the old one it’s like getting a new BMW to an old HR Holden commodore - just fantastic.”
The machine will be kept in the ambulance ready to go for emergencies while the old one will stay at the Health Service.
“Its something we hope we never have to use,” Ms Izatt said.
“But if the time comes when it’s really needed, it’s good to know we have it.”
Di Williams spoke on behalf of the Andamooka Health Service to thank the community.
“We would like to give a heart warming thank you to everybody who was involved in fundraising, including people who have passed away and not seen it come to fruition.
“People like APOMA (Andamooka Progress and Opal Miners Association), CWA (Country Women’s Association), the hospital auxiliary, BHP Billiton, Scott Humphries and anyone we’ve forgotten this is our opportunity to say thankyou.
“We very much appreciate the fact you raised a significant amount of money in such a short time to make an enormous difference to the community in Andamooka.
“The nursing staff would also like to thank Marina Izatt for making the trip down to Andamooka and for all her support while raising the funds. Let’s hope we don’t have to use it any time in the near future.”
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