Life-saving legislation: AEDs could improve cardiac survival rates
South Australia is taking a groundbreaking step in public safety with the Automated External Defibrillator (Public Access) Act 2022. From January 1, 2025, all State Government owned buildings and facilities must have AEDs installed and readily accessible.
What This Means for South Australia
This Australia-first legislation will see over 2,000 additional AEDs installed across:
Public primary and secondary schools
The State Library
Major venues like Coopers Stadium, Adelaide Entertainment Centre and Adelaide Convention Centre
And by January 1, 2026, this extends to non-Government buildings and facilities and trains, trams, and public buses.
Time is Everything
Here's a sobering fact: For every minute that defibrillation and CPR is delayed during a cardiac arrest, survival chances decrease by 10%. This legislation could literally be the difference between life and death.
The Seattle Success Story
Let's look at Seattle, where proactive AED placement and community training have led to a remarkable 62% cardiac arrest survival rate. Compare this to Australia's current 7%, and you can see why this legislation matters.
Beyond installation: Why training matters
While the legislation states that "AEDs require no training and can be used by anyone," we believe confidence comes from knowledge. Yes, AEDs are designed to be user-friendly, but would you want your first time touching one to be during an actual emergency? Well, that’s where we come in!
Making training engaging
We're excited about this legislation because it aligns perfectly with our mission: making lifesaving skills accessible and memorable. Our CPR and AED training:
Can be done at your workplace, building or facility
Makes learning enjoyable
Builds real confidence
Creates capable responders
Be part of the change
While having AEDs available is crucial, knowing how to use them confidently can make all the difference. Book your team's CPR and AED training and ask about our special offer.
As Dr. Christian Verdicchio, CEO of Heart Support Australia, says, "The chances of surviving a cardiac arrest without a defibrillator are negligible, but with an AED being used it significantly increases their chances of survival."
Let's make sure Adelaide isn't just equipped with AEDs, but confident in using them when it matters most.
