The Automated External Defibrillator unit which was reported missing from the Mauao base track has now been found.

“A call was received to 111 late morning on Sunday, November 5 and the access code was given out,” says Exceed Systems Administrator Melisa Wilson.

Following this, the device went missing, and a public request was sent out to the community asking for help to find it.

Meanwhile Melisa checked up on events that were being held on the same day, only to find that hundreds of people had been involved as either competitors or spectators in a major event at Mount Maunganui.

On phoning around she was able to track down the AED unit which had been used by possibly a member of the public on or near the Mauao base track.

“Somehow there must have been an incident, and someone rang 111 and the access code was given out,” says Melisa.

“Someone then handed the AED unit on to St John’s and we tracked it down there.”

She’s delighted to know that the unit may have been used for the purpose that it has been placed on Mauao for.

The Automated External Defibrillator - AED. Photo: Supplied.

Exceed We Fix Windows & Doors donated and maintain the AED units on Mauao in 2020 – one on the base track and one near the summit. They replace pads and batteries when required.

Prior to Exceed’s donation of the two defibrillators, there had been 31 cardiac arrests requiring an ambulance recorded in Mount Maunganui during 2019.

There were two cardiac deaths on Mauao on December 15, 2019, and January 18 2020.

The benefit of the AED is that people without a medical background are able to use the machine in case of an emergency.

The units assist the first responder with real-time feedback and CPR assistance.

To help someone who is in cardiac arrest effectively, a defibrillator needs to be found as quickly as possible.

For every minute it takes for the defibrillator to reach someone and deliver a shock, their chances of survival reduce significantly.

Use of an AED within 3-5 minutes of collapse can increase the chance of survival by up to 44 per cent.

“Having access to AEDs or 'heart starters' in the community is critical and survival rates can be doubled by stepping in quickly with CPR and using an AED," says General Manager of Exceed We Fix Windows & Doors, Tony Burnette.

Melissa is delighted to know that the AED unit may have saved a life.

“People knew it was there and had presence of mind to ring 111 and access it,” says Melissa.

“We are now writing our phone number on it.”

The locations of the AED units on Mauao are at the junction of Waikorire and Oruahine track, at the top of the stairs and along the base track at the steep track junction.