A former Ironman world champion will visit Bathurst next Tuesday to discuss the importance of having defibrillators on hand at home and in the workplace.
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Guy Leech, a seven-time Uncle Toby's Super Series race winner, will lead a presentation at the Bathurst RSL Club on the benefits of defibrillators and leading a healthy lifestyle.
Mr Leech became a leading advocate for defibrillator access after witnessing the tragic death of one of his best friends, Charles 'Chucky' Stewart, in 2016 from sudden cardiac arrest [SCA].
"Around 30,000 people in Australia die from SCA each year, and without sufficient access to a nearby defibrillator, you've got a 6 per cent chance of surviving," he said.
"When a defibrillator is applied withing the first three minutes, the chances of surviving a SCA increase by up to 90 per cent."
"When a defibrillator is applied within the first three minutes, the chances of surviving a sudden cardiac increase by up to 90 per cent."
- Guy Leech
To honour Chucky's legacy, Mr Leech founded his own business [Heart 180] to reduce the number of lives lost to SCA's.
Mr Leech said the initiative is designed to motivate individuals and businesses to consider owning a defibrillator.
"It's a rewarding initiative to be involved with, but it doesn't change the fact that I constantly think about Chucky and what could've been had I understood the value of defibrillators," he said.
"Defibrillators these days range between $2000 and $3000, and their technology has advanced to the point where the device can talk you through the CPR process."
Mr Leech's mission is to see defibrillators become as commonplace in the home and workplace as fire extinguishers and smoke detectors.
"There's no bigger priority in life than looking after your own health," he said.
"Defibrillators save lives, but maintaining a lifestyle of healthy habits is paramount to lessening the risk of heart problems."
Mr Leech is being brought to Bathurst courtesy of local business ShiftLab Employee Wellbeing.
The presentation will commence at 5.45pm on Tuesday, July 23. To book a spot, contact ShiftLab's Keith Flowers at keith@shiftlab.com.au or 0438043121.