TWO tragedies prompted a group of surfers to come together to help keep the community of North Narrabeen a little safer.

An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is now installed outside the surf club and can be used in emergencies 24 hours a day.

While the 21 North Beach Surf Clubs already have an AED inside the building, when the club is not open, the lifesaving technology is not accessible to the public. North Narrabeen is now one of a handful of local clubs to have an AED outside 24 hours a day.

The North Narrabeen Boardriders Club was behind the push for the DEA to be installed outside their local surf club, following the deaths of two of its own.

In the past, Alexis Dunne, 21, died of a heart attack on the beach following surfing in North Narrabeen. In March 2020, Kevin Short got in his car to go surfing at the beach when he suffered a heart attack and died.

NNBC chairman and former Australian professional surfer Damien Hardman said grief over losing two members prompted the club to act.

“We have lost a few people here over the past few years, including two members of our club, both to heart problems,” he said. “We thought it was a good thing for the community, not just for the surfers but for everyone who uses the beach.

“I think it’s something every surf club should have, it’s outside the building and it’s accessible.”

NNBC Vice President Brian Lawson, who also works as a paramedic, said AEDs are easy to use.

“They’re very simple, it’s as easy as opening the box and it walks you through the whole process,” he said. “You can’t go wrong as it won’t shock a non-shocking rhythm. Early defibrillation is what saves lives.”

NNBC received a grant of $ 1,100 from the NSW Office of Sport, and then club members paid the additional $ 1,000 to purchase the AED.

We thought it was a good thing for the community, not just for the surfers, but for anyone who uses the beach.

Damien Hardman, President of the North Narrabeen Boardriders Club and former professional surfer

Northern Beaches Council Mayor Michael Regan said that although this is an NNBC initiative, the council sets aside $ 1 million in its budget each year to help surf clubs.

He said the council helped bring AEDs to LGA sports grounds and surf clubs should be part of that rollout.

“We have a role to play in the future in this regard,” said Cr Regan. “We have to do more, we have to play a more active role.

“The community should feel safe and comfortable coming in contact with us for these types of grants.”

Cr Regan said there are many AEDs on the northern beaches, but no one has put the locations together in one easy-to-access resource.

“There is no map, you wouldn’t know if there is one on The Corso, where is the app? Where is something we all know and can go to,” he said. he declares.

“I think we should do it, an app or contribute to one that already exists.”

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