How to quickly find an AED close to you in an emergency.

In an emergency, an AED or defibrillator can literally be the difference between life and death. But how do you find one quickly when you really need it?

An AED is an Automated External Defibrillator. It's a smart device that automatically analyses the heart rhythm of someone experiencing a cardiac arrest and, if needed, it delivers an electrical shock to their heart that restores it natural rhythm.

So let's say you come across someone having a cardiac arrest. You only have minutes to act. How do you find an AED quickly?

Firstly, look around you. Are you close to any of these places?

• Hospital or Medical Centre

• Community Centre

• School, Kindergarten or Child Care Centre

• Shopping Centre

• Major Supermarket, Retail Superstore, Large Office Complex, etc

• Sporting Club or Gym

• Public Library or Town Hall

These are some of the most common places these days to find an AED.

If one of these places is nearby, send someone to look for an AED, while you assist the patient, keeping them calm and applying CPR.

Tell the other person to look for any of the above signs - either green, yellow and red, or black and red signs with a lightning bolt across a heart. These indicate an AED is in that location.

Even if you are not near one of these places listed above, take a quick visual scan yourself or send someone to look for one of these signs. You may also see a sign just saying "AED here" or an arrow with the words AED. It may even just be a graphic of the heart with a lightning bolt in it.

All of these are signs an AED is located in close proximity.

If you can't see an obvious place like one listed above, the next best option is to open Google Maps on your phone and search for "AED near me". This may help you find one close by that is not easily signposted.

Another alternative is to use an app. There are many apps now 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 so you can get an ambulance on the way at the same time. You can find it in your App Store or Google Play or at https://www.ambulance.vic.gov.au/goodsam/

Another new app has been set up by Greg Page, the original Yellow Wiggle. It 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 to make them more easy to find. You can find it https://www.heartofthenation.com.au

Please note that not all AED apps list all up to date locations of actual AEDs. Unfortunately some places install AEDs and then don’t tell anyone so they are not listed on apps. Others install an AED but don’t put up a sign telling anyone it is there. Worse still is the case where there is an old AED sign up, but the device itself has been removed. So keep that in mind when searching for one and always ASK someone if they know that the AED is actually there and where it is.

Remember too that if you do 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.

The next best thing to knowing how to find an AED quickly is knowing how to perform First Aid, especially CPR. While an AED can sometimes be the most important thing a cardiac arrest patient needs, you can still save their lives if you know how to perform CPR. It can keep the patient alive and prevent serious permanent heart damage until the ambulance arrives with their own AED.

At Results First Aid, we care about delivering the very best in first aid training. We will ensure you walk away from our First Aid and CPR Courses, knowing exactly what to do in an emergency and being confident of your skills. Our courses include training on using an AED so you will be ready for anything.

Of course if you have a business and would like to install an AED to help ensure it will be available to someone nearby in an emergency, please contact us as we have them for sale.

For training and AED sales, please go to www.resultsfirstaid.com