Where Is My Nearest Defibrillator? How to Find an AED Near You
- Pulse Defibs
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Why Knowing Your Nearest AED Matters
If someone suffers a sudden cardiac arrest, every second counts.
A defibrillator, also known as an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), can significantly improve a person's chance of survival when used quickly alongside CPR. In fact, early defibrillation is one of the most important links in the Chain of Survival.
The sooner a defibrillator is applied, the better the chance of survival.
Yet despite this, most Australians have no idea where their nearest defibrillator is located.
This article will help you find your nearest defibrillator by exploring common AED locations locally and using online AED locator tools.
Don't Wait Until an Emergency, Locate Your Nearest Defibrillator Today
In reality, finding an AED while someone is unconscious and not breathing can be stressful, confusing and time-critical.
Instead, take a few minutes ahead of time to identify the nearest defibrillators around places you regularly spend time.
Ask yourself:
Where is the nearest AED to my home?
Is there a defibrillator at my workplace?
Does my apartment building or strata complex have one?
Is there an AED at my local sports, bowls or golf club?
Does my local pub, shopping centre or community centre have a defibrillator?
Knowing the answers to these questions now could make all the difference later.
When cardiac arrest occurs:
Call Triple Zero (000)
Begin CPR immediately
Retrieve and use a defibrillator as soon as possible
If the nearest defibrillator cannot be accessed and returned to the patient within approximately 3 minutes, prioritise continuous CPR and follow the instructions provided by the Triple Zero (000) call-taker.
Where multiple bystanders are available, send another person to retrieve the AED while CPR continues uninterrupted. Early CPR and early defibrillation together provide the best chance of survival following sudden cardiac arrest.
Find Your Nearest Defibrillator using AED Locator Apps
For most Australian states, GoodSAM is the most comprehensive and up-to-date tool available for locating nearby AEDs.
GoodSAM AED Locator Map: https://www.goodsamapp.org/locatorMap
In Western Australia, the Northern Territory & the ACT, the St John First Responder App is also widely used and provides access to a large database of AED locations, along with first aid resources and emergency response features.
St John First Responder Map: https://defibrillator-locations.stjohnwa.com.au/
In addition to these platforms, many local councils maintain their own registers of publicly accessible defibrillators. If you are looking for an AED in your area, we recommend also searching your local council's website, as some devices may be listed there but not on other databases.
Remember, no AED registry is completely comprehensive. The best approach is to use multiple sources and familiarise yourself with AED locations near your home, workplace & locations you frequent.
How to Register an AED
Ideally, every defibrillator in Australia would be registered on a single database. While several registries currently exist, Australia is gradually moving towards a more unified approach through GoodSAM, making it one of the most widely used platforms for registering and locating public access defibrillators.
Registering your AED with GoodSAM can help emergency services, first responders and members of the public locate the device during a cardiac arrest emergency.
When registering an AED, it is important to provide accurate information regarding access hours and any restrictions that may prevent the device from being retrieved. For example, an AED located inside a clubhouse or office building may not be accessible outside business hours.
Registration typically requires:
The AED's exact location
Details about public accessibility
Contact information for the device owner or custodian
Information about the make and model of the defibrillator
Registration is quick and straightforward and can be completed through the GoodSAM AED Registry:
Once registered, remember to keep your AED information up to date if the device is relocated, replaced or becomes temporarily unavailable
What to Do If There Are No AEDs in Your Area
If you are struggling to find a defibrillator nearby, it may be worth speaking with local organisations, businesses, clubs and community groups about having a device installed and made publicly accessible.
Many communities have limited access to defibrillators simply because nobody has taken the initiative to advocate for one. Raising awareness of the benefits of AEDs can help encourage local organisations to take action.
When approaching an organisation, focus on the potential community benefit. Sudden cardiac arrest can affect anyone, regardless of age or fitness level, and having a defibrillator nearby can significantly improve survival outcomes while waiting for emergency services to arrive.
Locations that are often well-suited to installing a defibrillator include:
Workplaces
Apartment buildings
Sports & Golf clubs
Pubs and licensed clubs
Community centres
Schools
Gyms and fitness centres
Shopping Centres
Caravan Parks
Many of these locations have large numbers of visitors, staff, residents or members passing through each day, making them ideal locations for publicly accessible AEDs.
Sometimes, one conversation is all it takes to put a life-saving device in place. If you require supporting information or have any questions, please get in touch with the team at Pulse Defibs.
P: (02) 8488 5221
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