by admin | Apr 15, 2025 | Defibrillator News & Updates, Defibrillators, Guides & Resources, Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)
AEDs are wonderful life-saving devices and the only way to restart a heart or shock it back into a normal rhythm after cardiac arrest. There’s more good news too, AEDs can be used by anyone, anywhere, anytime.
Anyone can – and should – use an AED in the event of sudden cardiac arrest, you do not need any specialised training. AEDs are designed to be used by non-medical personnel, such as firefighters, police officers, lifeguards, flight attendants, security guards, teachers, family members of high-risk persons, and most importantly – bystanders. That includes you!
Once you have found your nearest AED, all you have to do is turn it on and follow the voice instructions. For most AED brands, there will also be illustrated instructions within the AED case, on the pads (showing you where to place them), and on the AED itself. The voice instructions include how and where to apply the pads, how to administer a shock while making sure everyone is clear of the patient, and how to perform CPR. The instructions are made simple and clear enough that even a child with no prior knowledge of an AED can use it. Simply, turn it on, listen, and use the diagrams for guidance.
If you’re still worried that you might mess things up, then don’t let that hold you back! No AED will allow you to administer too many shocks, or any shocks at all if it is not needed. Through the use of heart monitoring technology, the AED will be able to determine
- If the sufferer’s heart is beating in a sporadic rhythm, it will then administer a shock or instruct you to.
- If the person’s heart is beating normally again and doesn’t need a shock, it will advise you to monitor the patient until emergency help arrives.
- Or if someone is touching the sufferer then it will not shock.
In Australia, another reason that you don’t have to worry is due to the Good Samaritan Act in each state. The existence of these Acts means that that if you perform CPR, first aid, or use an AED to assist a person during an emergency, you are protected from liability. This means in the very unlikely event that something happens, you are not held responsible.
But how do you get the person to the AED?
AEDs are portable!
Potential first responders should look for AEDs in public areas such as sports venues, community centres, shopping malls, casinos, amusement parks, airports, airplanes, businesses, convention centres, hotels, schools, and doctors’ offices.
They will generally be in a cabinet or inside a case and can be carried to the location of an SCA sufferer so there’s no need to risk moving them.
It’s important to know where your nearest AED is. They can often be found in highly trafficked areas in well-marked and accessible wall cabinets. Popular locations include hallways, main corridors, near elevators, cafeterias, or main reception areas.
Bystanders play one of the most important roles in saving a life in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest, so remember to call, push, shock and don’t hesitate if you think you’ve witnessed SCA. Defibrillators are safe and effective in increasing survival rates and they won’t shock unless it’s needed.
by admin | Apr 15, 2025 | AED Legislation & Defibrillator Compliance, Defibrillator News & Updates, Guides & Resources, Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)
South Australia’s New Defibrillator Laws: What You Need to Know for 2025–2026 Compliance
Why South Australia’s AED Laws Are Critical for Public Safety
Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) claims over 30,000 lives annually in Australia, making rapid intervention crucial. Immediate CPR and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) use can boost survival rates by up to 74% when administered promptly.
In response, South Australia has enacted the Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) Act 2022. This groundbreaking legislation ensures essential access to AEDs, significantly enhancing community safety.
Understanding the South Australian AED Legislation Requirements
The new law mandates specific public and commercial properties in South Australia to install AEDs by clearly defined deadlines.
Which Facilities Must Install AEDs?
Mandatory AED installation applies from:
- 1 January 2025 (Crown-owned properties)
- 1 January 2026 (Non-Crown entities)
Facilities required to comply include:
- Commercial offices ≥600m²
- Shopping centres
- Residential apartment complexes
- Aged care & retirement villages
- Educational institutions (schools, childcare centres, TAFEs, universities)
- Swimming and recreational centres
- Theatres, gaming venues & casinos
- Correctional institutions & custodial police facilities
- Public transport vehicles (trains, trams, buses)
- Residential parks & caravan parks
- New commercial constructions post-2026
Installation Rule: One AED per every 1,200m². For example, a facility measuring 2,400m² must install two AEDs.
Important Compliance Dates & Penalties
| Requirement |
Deadline |
| AED Installation (Crown) |
1 Jan 2025 |
| AED Installation (Non-Crown) |
1 Jan 2026 |
| AED Testing & Maintenance |
Annually (minimum) |
| AED Registration |
SA AED Register |
⚠️ Penalty for Non-Compliance: Fines up to $20,000 AUD
Organisations often worry about liability with publicly accessible AEDs. Fortunately, South Australia’s Civil Liability Act 1936 provides robust Good Samaritan protection, ensuring individuals acting in good faith during medical emergencies are shielded from civil liability—even if outcomes are unfavourable.
How to Ensure Compliance with the New AED Law
To maintain compliance and safeguard your community, organisations must:
- ✅ Install AEDs according to square metre specifications.
- 🛠 Conduct regular annual maintenance (we recommend our concierge services ).
- 📍 Install clear AED signage meeting international standards.
- 📝 Register AEDs with South Australia’s official AED Register.
Expert Assistance for AED Implementation and Compliance
AED Authority provides comprehensive services, including site assessments, AED installation, signage, registration, and concierge maintenance programs, making compliance easy and efficient.
Call AED Authority: 1300 233 123
Contact Us Today to get started.
by admin | Oct 8, 2024 | AED Case Studies & Success Stories, Community & Workplace Safety, Defibrillator News & Updates, Defibrillators, Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), Uncategorised
AED Authority commends the Rotary Club of Aurora Gungahlin
At AED Authority, we are committed to improving the survival rate of sudden cardiac arrest victims in Australia. Our goal is to empower ordinary people to save lives. We are proud to support community initiatives that have a positive impact on society.
Empowering Communities with Life-Saving Equipment
We are proud to share that the Rotary Club of Aurora Gungahlin, based in Canberra, recently purchased six Lifepak CR2 Essential cabinet packages from AED Authority. In a generous gesture, they donated these units to CMET – Canberra Metro Operations, the organisation responsible for managing Canberra’s transport services.
This donation ensures that critical Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are available across the city’s metro services, improving the safety and preparedness of the public transport system. With the addition of these AEDs, CMET is better equipped to respond to emergencies, offering life-saving support to passengers and staff in case of a sudden cardiac arrest.
We commend the Rotary Club of Aurora Gungahlin for their commitment to community well-being and for making a positive impact on public safety.
Importance of AEDs in Communities
Each year, over 30,000 Australians experience sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). There are still many misconceptions about what SCA is, how it happens and what to do. Having accessible AEDs in communities is crucial for increasing survival rates and saving lives.
How You Can Help
We encourage everyone to learn more about this life-threatening condition and how we can work together to save lives. Chat with an AED expert on 1300 233 123 or contact us online to learn more. It really is as easy as 123!
For more information on how to support community initiatives and improve public safety with AEDs, follow us on social media and stay updated with our latest news and contributions.
For more information on how to support community initiatives and improve public safety with AEDs, follow us on social media and stay updated with our latest news and contributions.
by admin | Aug 20, 2024 | AED Case Studies & Success Stories, Community & Workplace Safety, Defibrillator News & Updates, Defibrillators, Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)
AED Authority is proud to have donated a defibrillator to the Royal Hotel in Grong Grong, NSW
At AED Authority, we are dedicated to improving the survival rate of sudden cardiac arrest victims across Australia. Our mission is to empower public spaces and communities to be prepared for emergencies, enabling ordinary people to save lives. We are proud to support initiatives that positively impact society by providing essential life-saving defibrillators.
“A defibrillator, also known as a defib or AED, can save a life during a cardiac arrest by resetting the heart rhythm. A defib is the only way to do this. CPR alone is not enough.” – Grant Thompson, AED Authority.
When Brian Evans, hotelier of the Royal Hotel in Grong Grong, suffered a cardiac arrest at his previous Victorian pub, it was the quick-thinking actions of bystanders and the availability of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) that saved his life.
At 57, Brian felt under the weather, thinking he had just ‘a bit of a cold.’ However, within moments, he collapsed with no pulse. Thankfully, his partner Leanne and patrons quickly acted, delivering three shocks using the pub’s onsite AED. This immediate response restored his heartbeat before paramedics arrived. Brian was later airlifted to the Royal Melbourne Hospital and, after five days, was able to return home.
“While Brian’s story had a happy ending, the reality is that over 30,000 Australians die from out-of-hospital cardiac arrests every year, with one death occurring every 16 minutes,” says Grant Thompson from AED Authority.
“Immediate treatment is critical, but ambulance response times are often too slow. A defibrillator, or AED, is the only way to reset the heart during a cardiac arrest. CPR alone won’t suffice.”
Recently, Thompson and Shane Hawkinson from AED Authority presented Brian Evans with a defibrillator at his new pub, the Royal Hotel in Grong Grong, as part of their Forward Hearts program.
“Having an AED in your pub just makes sense,” Thompson added. “These devices are simple to use, require no medical training, and are fully automatic. They even perform the shock delivery for you if needed.”
No regular maintenance, servicing, or calibration is required—just a simple visual check.
“Having one of these life-saving devices in your pub, bar, or hotel means you could potentially save the life of a loved one, mate, or patron.”
Don’t wait until it’s too late—equip your space with an AED today and be prepared for any emergency. AED Authority is here to help you choose the right defibrillator and provide ongoing support.
Importance of AEDs in Communities
Each year, over 30,000 Australians experience sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). There are still many misconceptions about what SCA is, how it happens and what to do. Having accessible AEDs in communities is crucial for increasing survival rates and saving lives.
How You Can Help
We encourage everyone to learn more about this life-threatening condition and how we can work together to save lives. Chat with an AED expert on 1300 233 123 or contact us online to learn more. It really is as easy as 123!
For more information on how to support community initiatives and improve public safety with AEDs, follow us on social media and stay updated with our latest news and contributions.
For more information on how to support community initiatives and improve public safety with AEDs, follow us on social media and stay updated with our latest news and contributions.
by admin | Aug 1, 2024 | Community & Workplace Safety, Defibrillator News & Updates, Defibrillators, Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)
AED Authority donates to the Lions Club of Mannum
At AED Authority, we are committed to improving the survival rate of sudden cardiac arrest victims in Australia. Our goal is to empower ordinary people to save lives. We are proud to support community initiatives that have a positive impact on society.
Empowering Communities with Life-Saving Equipment
Thomas’s Fundraising Efforts
Recently, we had the pleasure of supporting Thomas with his fundraising endeavors. Thomas, an 11-year-old boy, was raising funds through garage sales with the goal of purchasing a defibrillator for the Lions Club of Mannum in South Australia. It is truly inspiring to see someone so young recognize the importance of having an AED in his community.
AED Authority’s Contribution
To help Thomas achieve his goal, we donated a Lifepak CR2 defibrillator, along with an outdoor cabinet and signage. Thomas recently presented these to a very grateful Lions Club. The defibrillator will be installed outdoors and will be accessible to the wider community, enhancing the safety and preparedness of Mannum.
Importance of AEDs in Communities
Each year, over 30,000 Australians experience sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). There are still many misconceptions about what SCA is, how it happens and what to do. Having accessible AEDs in communities is crucial for increasing survival rates and saving lives.
How You Can Help
We encourage everyone to learn more about this life-threatening condition and how we can work together to save lives. Chat with an AED expert on 1300 233 123 or contact us online to learn more. It really is as easy as 123!
For more information on how to support community initiatives and improve public safety with AEDs, follow us on social media and stay updated with our latest news and contributions.
For more information on how to support community initiatives and improve public safety with AEDs, follow us on social media and stay updated with our latest news and contributions.
