If someone has stopped breathing or is unconscious, call 000 immediately.
Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)
Cardiac arrest can happen to any of us. Most cardiac arrests that occur out of hospital occur in people’s homes, but they can happen anywhere at any time. Each year in Australia about 25,000 people have a cardiac arrest out of hospital, but it’s estimated that as few as 5 per cent of these people survive to leave hospital and return home.
What are AEDs?
An AED is a machine designed to correct an irregular or excessively rapid heartbeat by delivering a measured electric shock. If you've ever watched a television medical drama, you may have seen someone “shocked” back to life by a technician who yells "Clear!" before delivering a jolt of electricity to the person's chest to get the heart beating again.
The machine being used is called a defibrillator, and its use isn't limited to a hospital setting. Devices called Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) can be used at home and in schools and are also found in many public places.
When are AEDs needed?
AEDs revive someone from sudden cardiac arrest. This usually occurs when a disruption in the heart's electrical activity causes a dangerously fast heartbeat (ventricular tachycardia) or a fast and irregular heartbeat (ventricular fibrillation). Either of these irregular heart rhythms keeps the heart from pumping effectively and can cause it to stop.
When this happens, the brain and other vital organs don't get the blood and oxygen they need. This requires treatment within minutes to prevent death. The sooner the heart's rhythm is restored, the greater the chance there won't be permanent damage to the brain and other organs.
A bystander can use it to jolt a person’s heart back to a regular rhythm and help save their life.
Where can I find the nearest AED?
Council has already installed many AEDs throughout Glen Eira. Recently, we installed AEDs that are accessible 24 hour per day, seven days per week and are registered with Ambulance Victoria.
These AEDs are located at:
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Between 438–440 Centre Road, Bentleigh — outside ‘The Plaza’
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751 Centre Road, Bentleigh East
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7 Shepparson Avenue, Carnegie (outside Carnegie Library and Community Centre)
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4 Staniland Grove, Elsternwick (outside Elsternwick Library)
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1134 Glenhuntly Road (outside Community Information and Support Glen Eira)
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193 Balaclava Road, Caulfield (outside Bendigo Bank)
In an emergency, 000 can tell you the location of an AED closest to you. Ambulance Victoria also has this information.
Bendigo Bank donation
In accordance with Council’s Philanthropic Partnerships Policy, The Community Bank Caulfield Park, a Branch of Bendigo Bank, has donated a $5000 contribution to the installation of automated external defibrillators outside its premises at 193 Balaclava Road, Caulfield North and in Staniland Grove, near the corner of Glen Huntly Road, Elsternwick.
Download the Letter of Agreement between Glen Eira City Council and Community Bank Caulfield Park
Frequently asked questions
How do you know when someone is experiencing a sudden cardiac arrest?
The following are signs of someone experiencing a sudden cardiac arrest:
- No breathing or gasping noises paired with abnormal breathing
- Unresponsive
- Unconscious
- No pulse.
Remember, time is crucial. If someone is unresponsive and not breathing, call an ambulance on 000 (triple zero) first.
What do I do if someone has had a sudden cardiac arrest?
If someone has stopped breathing or is unconscious, call 000 immediately.
A sudden cardiac arrest patient needs their heart rhythm to be reset quickly, while it remains in a shockable rhythm, using an electric shock from an AED. It is worth taking the time to call 000 first to get help on the way.
The 000 operator can support you through what to do, and most AEDs will provide you with very easy-to-follow instructions and will tell you exactly what to do throughout the entire resuscitation process. From the moment you switch on the AED, you will be prompted both visually and verbally with clear and concise instructions. This will include how and where to place the electrode pads. You will also be advised when a shock is about to be delivered and the AED will instruct you to stay clear of the patient.
Later in the resuscitation process, you may be required to perform CPR. The AED will also help you throughout this stage. You will be guided through how to correctly perform CPR.
Who can use an AED and do I need training?
Anyone can use (and should use) an AED in the event of sudden cardiac arrest. AEDs were specifically designed to be used by members of the public with no medical training at all. They are very straightforward and safe to use, using a combination of voice prompts and visual instructions to lead you through the process. The AED will not supply a shock unless a shockable rhythm is detected, and they give you a warning not to touch the patient before the shock is applied.
Can I be sued for using an AED?
CPR and AEDs used for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients can double their survival rate. Bystanders are the first critical link in the chain of survival and can keep patients alive until paramedics arrive. However, some people may be reluctant to help, fearing repercussions. That’s when “good Samaritan” laws come in. A good Samaritan is defined as “as a person acting without expecting financial or other reward for providing assistance”. In Victoria, we are under the Wrongs Act 1958 (Vic).
