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A Sydney cafe owner has made an urgent appeal after a defibrillator was stolen from a busy seaside restaurant.
Coogee Courtyard owner Dave Martin bought the expensive $3,000 machine about a year ago to ensure people could access the life-saving device in the event of a heart attack.
However, the machine was stolen from its wall box last week.
“There aren’t really any in the Coogee Basin. I thought it would be a good idea to buy one – basically for the community,” he said.
“I think it was some drunk young guys. Any intellectual person would not accept this.
The owner of a popular Sydney cafe has launched an urgent appeal after a life-saving defibrillator was stolen from the busy seaside restaurant.
At the time, the machine was in its wall box near the entrance to the cafe, with Mr Martin believing the theft had happened at night, when the cafe was unattended.
Automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) are used to resuscitate people in the event of sudden cardiac arrest, with around 3,800 people in New South Wales suffering an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest each year.
About 90 percent of these cases result in death, but CPR and defibrillation can increase survival rates by up to 70 percent.
As per protocol, the AED has been registered on the government registry, unlocked and accessible at any time.
Mr Martin said he had not yet reported the theft to police and asked the offender to return the machine, no questions asked.
“I’m going to have to replace it because if someone needs it and there’s an empty box there, I’ll never forgive myself,” he said.
“Just bring it back.” Put it back in the box and all will be forgiven and the community will be happy again.
“It’s not something you would expect to steal, it’s there for everyone’s benefit.”
The machine was located in its wall box near the entrance to the cafe, with Mr Martin believing the theft had happened at night, when the cafe was unattended.
Coogee Courtyard owner Dave Martin bought the expensive $3,000 machine about a year ago to ensure people could access the life-saving device in the event of a heart attack.
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park called the theft a “dog act” and called on the perpetrators to make amends.
“These devices are not toys,” he said.
“Not only are they expensive, but, more importantly, they save lives.
“It’s a dog’s act. Whoever took it should just do the right thing and return it before anyone’s life is seriously endangered.