Already known for its investment in community through housing, healthcare and supporting youth, the Kiwanis Club of Oak Bay added a jolt to its iconic beach-side eatery this summer.

The club saved up to purchase an automatic external defibrillator (AED) now installed at the Kiwanis Tea Room at Willows Beach Park.

B次元官网网址淭he club just felt, there have been (cardiac) arrests on the beach, and you do CPR but youB次元官网网址檙e waiting for first response from the fire department or B.C. Ambulance, so we felt over the last year and a bit it would be advisable and beneficial to the community if we had one accessible at the tea room,B次元官网网址� said past president Gerry Adam.

A former Oak Bay fire chief B次元官网网址� as is the current Kiwanis president Dave Cockle B次元官网网址� Adam recalls the days of dispatching an ambulance from the hall on Monterey Avenue. Calls for kids were the hardest.

While they donB次元官网网址檛 anticipate needing it, the club purchased a defibrillator that can be used by an untrained responder on both adults and children.

B次元官网网址淜nowing that unit has that ability, itB次元官网网址檚 just a good warm feeling,B次元官网网址� Adam said, adding summer staff and club members will get a demonstration on the equipment. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 very user friendly and it talks to you B次元官网网址� it walks you through the whole process.B次元官网网址�

Funds raised through the tea room, originally built in 1949, support community causes and functions including parks projects, scouts, scholarships, a dementia care home and lower-income seniorsB次元官网网址� housing.

The tea room at Willows Beach Park in Oak Bay is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. right through the end of September.

B次元官网网址淥n a sunny day the place is busy,B次元官网网址� Adam said. B次元官网网址淭he regulars rain or shine, theyB次元官网网址檙e walking the beach or the path and theyB次元官网网址檒l come in for coffee. ItB次元官网网址檚 a nice little hub.B次元官网网址�