Sometimes the best way to deal with the passing of a close one is to present someone with a gift of life. The article about a group of artists coming together to buy a life-saving device for the public is heartwarming and inspiring.

After the tragic loss of artist Lemisio Moana Tanielu Filipo, known as Nelu, his close friends raised funds to buy an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). They turned their grief into a meaningful mission to honour their late friend.

An automated external defibrillator is a small, easy-to-carry device that delivers an electric shock to the heart when it notices an irregular heartbeat. This shock aims to restore the heart's normal rhythm.

Nelu passed away in 2023 as a result of a heart attack while swimming at Palolo Deep in Vaiala, had there been a defibrillator in the ambulance that picked him up, he could still be alive today. Determined to create change, Raema Von Reiche and the group decided to fundraise for a defibrillator.

This machine has now been placed at the Yacht Club in Mulinuu. According to Von Reiche, the Yacht Club is in a high-traffic area close to the Ministry of Justice and Courts, Parliament of Samoa, Lands and Titles, Samoa Broadcasting Corporation, Outrigger Canoe clubs, Sails restaurant and the Apia Yacht Club itself. 

According to Von Reiche, there is no need for first-aid knowledge to operate the device. The cost of an AED is roughly NZD$3,000.

The group of friends have to be commended for their forward thinking and recognising the need for such a machine that could be placed at an accessible location. Many times, people lose their lives because of delayed first aid or lack of such machines. For example, a mobile nebuliser (machines that help asthmatic patients) is another good machine to have.

These machines help prolong lives until the professionals arrive on the scene. Perhaps, this is an investment district councils could look into. These machines require very little training to operate and their availability in every village could result in countless lives being saved.

In 2017, a couple from abroad provided the same equipment to the Lalomanu Hospital. If private businesses and groups are hoping to make a difference this year for Christmas, such a gift would be ideal. Gifts that save lives. Often, the emergency teams are delayed due to traffic and other factors.

Research shows that each minute during a cardiac arrest or heart leads to a 10 per cent reduction in survival. Using an AED on a person who is having a heart attack may save the person's life.

Since we are on the subject of saving lives, let us keep the safety of lives at the top of the list. It is now eight days until Christmas. It will be chaotic as families move around for shopping, family functions and church events. This is a time when parents get so busy they take their eyes off their children. We urge parents to keep their small children away from the chaos of Christmas shopping.

When attending family and church functions, always have children supervised. Sometimes accidents happen because of that momentary lapse. If children are going to be swimming or near bodies of water, ensure that there is adult supervision.

It was very thoughtful of Raema Von Reiche and her friends to come up with something that would benefit and save lives. It is no secret that sometimes such equipment is missing from emergency vehicles, which is why such donations go a long way.

Stay safe Samoa.