Now first aid instructor Mark Jolly, a retired Ambulance paramedic, is calling for the new more affordable devices to be placed in public places such as clubs and shopping centres.

““Ambulances are not always just around the corner especially in the country and having a defibrillator easily accessible can make the difference between life and death,” Mr Jolly said.

Defibrillators are lifesaving devices that deliver an electric charge to someone who has suffered cardiac arrest.

The high tech devices used to be worth thousands of dollars and could only be used by specially trained paramedics, but these days they are affordable and so easy to use anyone can save a life.

The new easy to use defibrillators speak to the operator and guide them through the defibrillation process.

The device will only deliver a shock to the patient if it detects the heart is in the appropriate rhythm.

From the moment that the device is turned on it gives audible instructions to the operator and guides them through the correct procedure for using the defibrillator.

The new defibrillators range in price starting at $1,500. They are affordable for clubs, pubs, shopping centres and sporting clubs to have on hand and could mean the difference between life and death.

“Studies have found that every minute without a shock from a defibrillator will decrease a casualty’s chance of survival by 10 per cent,” Mr Jolly said.

“After 10 minutes the heart will not respond to defibrillation.”

Sudden Cardiac Arrest can affect anyone; healthy adults, teenagers and children, and the only definitive treatment for cardiac arrest is defibrillation, which is most successful if administered within first few minutes.

Access to an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) within those first minutes could dramatically increase the chances of survival, from less than 5 per cent to 70 per cent or more.

At this stage there are no Automated External Defibrillators available for public access in Narooma and its surrounds.

Mark Jolly urges clubs, pubs and businesses to consider purchasing these life-saving devices.