AED Register

When someone suffers a cardiac arrest, they collapse and stop breathing normally. The heart is no longer efficiently pumping blood to vital organs in the body. The longer this person is left without CPR and defibrillation, the harder it is to restart their heart. This is where the community can make an extraordinary difference.

For every minute that we delay defibrillation, the chances of the person surviving a cardiac arrest decreases by 10%. So the early use of a defibrillator by members of the public can significantly increase a person’s chances of survival.

In any emergency, your AED should be collected after calling Triple Zero (000) and taken immediately to the patient. Some conditions may not immediately appear to be life-threatening, but may quickly deteriorate into a cardiac arrest. Having the AED on standby with the patient ensures it is available for use without delay.

No. If you notice that a person has collapsed, is not responding appropriately and not breathing normally – has stopped breathing altogether, is only gasping or making ‘funny noises’ – immediately call Triple Zero (000) for an emergency ambulance. Always follow the directions of the SAAS call-taker and immediately send someone to get your AED. Start CPR without delay and the EMDSO will guide and support you through the whole process until the paramedics arrive.

It’s important to know that you will not harm someone by simply attaching a defibrillator to a someone who is not in cardiac arrest. If you are in doubt, attach the pads, turn the machine on and follow the AED’s verbal instructions.

If the person needs a shock, the AED will tell you. REMEMBER – do not stop performing CPR even if no AED shock is advised. Keep performing CPR until the paramedics instruct you to stop and they are physically ready to take over.

SAAS recommends semi-automatic and automatic devices, both routinely called AEDs.

Manual defibrillators should only be used by appropriately trained healthcare professionals.

• It should have Therapeutic Goods Administration Australia (TGA) approval.
• It should operate in accordance with current Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) guidelines.
• Look for a device that is light weight and easily transportable
• Ensure it has a long life battery capable of multiple shocks and multiple resuscitations
• Your AED should be equipped with;
  • two sets of defibrillation pads
  • scissors
  • protective gloves
  • a razor
  • CPR mask/shield and a small towel

Your AED needs to be durable enough to withstand the environment it is to be placed in. So consider the environment in which you are likely to use it. Most AEDs will have an International Protection (IP) rating indicating its ability to withstand dust, water, extremes of temperature or mechanical impact.

Ideally an AED should be capable of being used on both adults and children. This consideration is essential when purchasing devices for childcare centres, schools, sporting venues and medical clinics. Some AEDs use a child “key” or different defibrillation electrode pads for children under 8 years of age.

AEDs that provide visual cues and verbal instructions on how to perform CPR and early defibrillation are particularly beneficial and reassuring to users without training.

AEDs and other related first aid items can be purchased from organisations that sell first aid, office or medical supplies. SAAS does not sell AEDs or recommend any particular brand of AED.