SA Local Government | St John First Aid Education and Compliance Guide 2025

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St John Ambulance SA

Defibrillators and legislation Overview Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. It is a leading cause of death worldwide and immediate access to an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) significantly increases the chances of survival. St John SA can help your workplace prioritise workplace preparedness with the right training and equipment. Lifesaving legislation South Australia is the first state to introduce legislation mandating the placement of AEDs in work-places and public environments. The Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) Act 2022 requires the installation and registration of AEDs in specific buildings, facilities, and vehicles, including schools, libraries, sports facilities, retirement villages, and larger commercial buidings. 5 References: 5 Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) Bill 2022 Where you least expect it Kristine "Kris" Sims saved her husband, Andrew, when he suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while waiting for a ferry across the River Murray in South Australia's Mid Murray region. With no history of heart issues, Andrew collapsed after retrieving some fence posts. Kris called for help and retrieved an AED she had installed less than a year earlier. Using the AED and performing CPR, she managed to revive Andrew multiple times. He experienced three cardiac arrests that day. Thanks to Kris’s swift actions and the AED, Andrew survived and recovered.

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Recommended AED model: LIFEPAK CR2

St John SA recommends the LIFEPAK CR2 model for council environments due to its superior features and ease of use. √ Fastest time to first shock √ Easy child-mode toggle switch (no separate accessories needed) √ Clear voice prompts and CPR guidance √ IP Rating: 55 √ 8-Year warranty √ Universal pads √ Fully or semi-automated

"I could have easily had the cardiac arrest anywhere, but having it there, at that time, with my wife there who had done first aid and also with a defibrillator on board, made me the luckiest person on earth on that day,." Andrew recalled. 6 This incident highlights the critical importance of having AEDs accessible in public places, especially in regional areas where medical help might be further away. By ensuring that AEDs are available, and that people are trained to use them, we can make our communities safer and better prepared for emergencies.

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