Last Friday, ABC Radio National Hour hosted by Fran Kelly featured a powerful segment highlighting the FIRST Clinical Trial — a groundbreaking initiative by Ambulance Victoria trialling the use of CellAED®, a simple, portable defibrillator device.

This was no ordinary discussion. It brought together voices from every side of the story:

• Bernadette Taylor, a trainee nurse and survivor, shared her experience of being saved thanks to a nearby CellAED®.
• Lee Ridsdale, a nurse and Ambulance Community Officer, recounted the moment he was first on the scene to help Bernadette using the device.
• Dr Ziad Nehme, Director of Research and Evaluation at Ambulance Victoria and lead investigator of the FIRST Trial, made his first public comments on the program’s progress and potential.

This segment is both emotional and insightful, offering a rare view into how access to rapid defibrillation through CellAED® can truly mean the difference between life and death.

At DefibsPlus, we’re proud to support technology that empowers everyday Australians to become first responders. Buying a CellAED means you’re helping to make stories like Bernadette’s possible.

🎧 Listen to the full ABC Radio interview here
📄 Read more about the FIRST Trial in this FAQ from Ambulance Victoria