OK so you know that in an emergency, a defibrillator can save lives, right? But, even if you are highly trained in first aid and CPR, do you know where your nearest defibrillator is?
And if you came across someone needing your help while you were out and about in an unfamiliar area, would you even know where to start looking for one? When precious seconds count in saving someone’s life, knowing where the nearest defibrillator is, can literally be a matter of life and death.
The first clue to finding your nearest defibrillator is knowing that in the first aid “industry”, they are called AEDs – which means Automated External Defibrillator. So the key to finding an AED is knowing to look for signs saying “AED here”. If you can’t easily see an AED sign, look around and see if you can spot any of these following places that commonly have defibrillators in them:
• Hospitals and Medical Centres
• Community Centres
• Schools, Kindergartens & Child Care Centres
• Shopping Centres
• Major Supermarkets, Retail Superstores, Large Office Complexes, etc
• Sporting Clubs & Gyms
• Public Libraries & Town Halls
Remember if you are taking care of the person needing help, send someone else to look for the AED.
Of course, these days there are many apps that can help you find your nearest defibrillator. The GoodSAM app, set up by Ambulance Victoria, is a handy app that not only helps you find a defibrillator but links you directly to the 000 service. Find it at https://www.ambulance.vic.gov.au/goodsam/
Another new app set up by Greg Page, the original Yellow Wiggle, is called Heart of the Nation and it not only helps you find the nearest AED it also encourages people with AED’s to put up more adequate signage. You can find it https://www.heartofthenation.com.au
Please remember not all AED apps list all locations of actual AEDs. Some places install AEDs and don’t tell anyone. Others install them and don’t put up signs. Others have signs up but the AED has been removed. So keep that in mind when searching for one and always ASK someone if they know where it is.
Remember too that if you go to the App Store or Google Play and search for an AED locator app, you might get a US or other overseas app that might NOT have the locations of AEDs in Australia. Even the most common Australian apps can be State based if they are run by an Ambulance Service and so not be as accurate if you are travelling interstate.
Next to knowing how to find your nearest AED, the best thing you can do is get trained in CPR and First Aid (that includes training on a defibrillator) at www.resultsfirstaid.com