Thirty minutes can feel very long while waiting for an ambulance. So can 60 minutes, or 180. In a cardiac emergency, the first minutes matter, especially for people living on rural roads where ambulance coverage can sit in a grey area. We installed a community AED at Kapiti PetVilla so there is an emergency back-up close by for us, our customers and neighbours. It is available 24/7 at 125 Derham Road, Te Horo. Calling 111 must always be the first step. The operator can provide the gate code so emergency access remains secure while help is on the way.
Why we installed a community AED
Cardiac emergencies can happen without warning. For rural communities, there can be a difficult gap between recognising an emergency, calling for help and an ambulance arriving. We wanted to make a practical resource available nearby during that wait.
The AED at Kapiti PetVilla is there for the local community, including neighbours, customers and people travelling through the area. It serves the roads around Derham Road, Paul Faith Lane, the start of Morrison Road and Te Hapua Road.
An AED is an automated external defibrillator. It is used only in an emergency involving a person who is unresponsive and not breathing normally. It does not replace ambulance care or trained medical help. It gives people nearby another option while emergency services are on their way.
We hope it is never needed. Having it in place is part of looking after the people around us.
How to access the AED in an emergency
The community AED is available 24/7 at Kapiti PetVilla, 125 Derham Road, Te Horo. It is located up the driveway, in front of the house and cattery, near the roundabout.
Please follow these steps in an emergency:
- Call 111 first. Tell the operator there is a medical emergency and that you need access to the AED at Kapiti PetVilla.
- Get the gate code from the operator. The code is provided through emergency services only, helping keep the property secure.
- Use the keypad at the gate. Drive up the driveway towards the roundabout.
- Collect and use the AED. Follow the instructions provided by the device while waiting for ambulance staff.
Please do not try to obtain or share the gate code outside an emergency. Calling 111 remains the first action, every time.
What is in the AED kit and who it is for
The AED box contains the AED machine, a stethoscope, a skin thermometer and a small first aid kit. These items are there to support an emergency response while professional help is coming.
The AED is designed to give clear prompts to the person using it. You do not need to make a medical diagnosis or guess what the machine requires. Follow its instructions and stay in contact with the 111 operator. Trained ambulance professionals are still essential, and the kit is for genuine emergencies only.
We keep the AED ready for use through regular checks and battery replacement when required. A location photo, map or simple driveway diagram can also help people recognise the gate, keypad, roundabout and AED location before an emergency occurs.
This is for everyone nearby. We are grateful to be able to provide a resource that may help our customers, neighbours and local community when time matters.