The SPLASH Centre in Harbour Grace is the latest recreational facility in the province to benefit from an AED, or Automated External Defibrillator.

AEDs are used to help shock a person who has suffered a sudden cardiac arrest back into a normal heart rhythm and can provide patients with precious extra minutes to allow paramedics to arrive.

St. John Ambulance says having an AED in public places like the SPLASH Centre can mean the difference between life and death.

Director of Marketing with St. John Ambulance Roberta Hewitt says this week’s presentation actually stemmed from a recent social media campaign.

“Back in December, we ran a contest on our Facebook page where participants could nominate a deserving non-profit or community group to win a defibrillator, and the SPLASH Centre was the lucky recipient of that device.”

This week’s presentation was made as part of Heart Month awareness activities and events.