Gympie Mitre 10 invests in lifesaving equipment

Lifesaving defibrillators are now included in the first aid kits at 18 locations across the state, after incidents over the last 12-months prompting action.

Sunshine Mitre 10 general manager Neil Hutchins said if investing in the equipment can save one life, it will be money well spent. Photo: Michelle Smytheman

A chain of hardware stores have invested in lifesaving equipment across 18 locations in the state including Gympie after several emergency incidents over the past year prompted action.

Sunshine Mitre 10 now include a lifesaving defibrillator in their first aid kits at every one of their stores across Queensland, after multiple incidents within the last 12 months involving staff members with heart conditions.

Sunshine Mitre 10 general manager Neil Hutchins said the equipment was an investment not only for the safety of staff, but also members of the general public.

“We have over 400 staff across our locations, and we take our duty of care very seriously so we have first aid officers at each location, and now we also have defibrillators which can help save lives for anyone experiencing a sudden cardiac arrest,” he said.

“But it’s not only that, many of our stores are in regional and remote locations so by having a defibrillator on site, it also makes these lifesaving devices more accessible to the local communities.”

Mr Hutchins also said if the equipment can save one life, it will be money very well spent.

The defibrillators were sourced from iHeart80, a company founded by Guy Leech in 2o16 after he lost a close friend to a sudden cardiac arrest with no nearby defibrillator to save him.

Mr Leech said the equipment is easy to use, with the machine giving instructions and would only shock the patient if needed.

Originally published as Gympie Mitre 10 invests in lifesaving equipment