Defibrillators are now available at numerous local locations, but as well as having the equipment available you need people who know how to identify and respond to cardiac arrest.

Julie Hughes is the executive director of the Michael Hughes Foundation, named in honour of her husband, and last Wednesday the Advocate was invited along to a session at the Golfie where she was training club members to do just that.

Mrs Hughes has already run workshops for other local sporting groups, and she explained the significance of the Foundation's work.

"Thirty thousand cardiac arrests occur outside hospital each year," Mrs Hughes said. The survival rate is as low as nine per cent.

The not-for-profit charity is focussed on "turning bystanders into first responders", with the knowledge and confidence to perform CPR in conjunction with defibrillators in sudden cardiac arrest events.

You can find out more information on the Foundation's website www.mhf.life

They explain cardiac arrest is an electrical problem where an arrhythmia prevents the heart from pumping blood to the brain and vital organs. There are generally no warning signs or symptoms.

The first step is to call 000 immediately if the person is unconscious, unresponsive with no pulse, absent or abnormal breathing.

Cardiac arrest is different from a heart attack, but someone experiencing a heart attack does also require immediate medical attention. A severe heart attack may lead to a cardiac arrest.

The Foundation advises that CPR and defibrillation are critical to survival and every minute counts.

CPR is used to replicate the heart function to circulate blood and oxygen to vital organs, it helps buy vital time.

The defibrillator is used to provide a shock to the patient's heart in an attempt to restart it.

The golf club's defibrillator was funded by the NSW Office of Sport, Forbes Shire Council and Forbes Services Memorial Club Community Chest.

Defibrillator locations in Forbes include (but this list might not be comprehensive)

A portable unit is taken to all Forbes Shire Council events by the council's events and tourism team.