MEMBERS of the Kyneton community are better equipped to help save a life, following the installation of a publicly accessible defibrillator.

The new defibrillator is located in a security box at the front door of the town’s ambulance branch, for 24-hour availability.

It can be used on patients suffering a sudden cardiac arrest to shock the heart back into rhythm.

“In the event of someone suffering a cardiac arrest there are several steps that people can take to improve a patient’s outcome,” Ambulance Victoria Kyneton senior team manager Eileen Henderson said. 

“People should always call triple zero first and listen to the directions of the call taker

“If there are enough people to assist, then someone can be sent to get the automatic external defibrillator (AED) from Kyneton ambulance branch.”

She said sending someone to get the defibrillator could only occur if there were enough people to do so safely.

“The priority should always be calling triple zero and initiating CPR,” Ms Henderson said.

The Ambulance Victoria Kyneton Auxiliary has donated 10 defibrillators to the community in the past two-and-a-half years.

Other recipients include sporting clubs, the Kyneton sale yards and a local reserve.

The auxiliary was the first to donate a defibrillator to an ambulance branch. 

“We are very fortunate to have such a fantastic group of community members supporting us,” Ms Henderson said.