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First Aid · 5 min read · 2025-11-12

AED Defibrillators in Public: Where They Are and How to Use One

AED Defibrillators in Public: Where They Are and How to Use One

That yellow box on the wall could save a life — if you know what to do with it

In 2024, the Heart Foundation and GoodSAM launched expanded campaigns to map Australia's public AED locations after several preventable cardiac arrest deaths where a defibrillator was present within metres of the patient — but no one used it. Fear of the device, uncertainty about whether it would shock a conscious person, and the belief that you needed special training to use one were the primary barriers. All three concerns are unfounded.

What an AED Does — and What It Doesn't Do

An Automated External Defibrillator analyses the heart's electrical rhythm and delivers a shock only if a shockable rhythm (ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia) is detected. It will not shock a person whose heart is beating normally. It will not shock if the pads are not properly attached. The device talks you through every step in plain language — it tells you when to stand clear, when to press the button, and when to resume CPR. You cannot use it incorrectly in a way that harms the patient.

How to Find Your Nearest Defibrillator

The GoodSAM Responder app (free on iOS and Android) allows you to locate registered AEDs near your location in real time. When you call 000, operators can also direct you to the nearest AED if one is registered in the area. In Queensland, AEDs are increasingly required at registered sporting clubs, large workplaces, and public venues. The Queensland Government has funded 500 AED placements at community sporting clubs as part of its community heart health program.

Step-by-Step: Using an AED

Turn on the device — most turn on automatically when you open the lid. Follow the voice and visual prompts. Attach the pads to bare skin as shown in the diagram — one pad below the right collarbone, one on the left side of the chest below the armpit. Ensure no one is touching the patient when the device analyses the rhythm. If a shock is advised, press the button when prompted and immediately resume CPR. Continue CPR and follow AED prompts until paramedics arrive or the patient recovers.

Sunshine Coast AED Locations

AEDs are registered across the Sunshine Coast at locations including surf clubs, community centres, major supermarkets, council facilities, gyms, and sporting grounds. The GoodSAM app can help you locate registered AEDs near you. Queensland AED owners can register their device with the Queensland Ambulance Service so Triple Zero (000) call takers can direct people to it during an emergency. If your workplace or venue does not yet have an AED, Horizon Training can advise on procurement, placement, and staff training to ensure it's ready to use if needed.

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