Having defibrillators in pubs can be the difference between life and death, providing crucial, life-saving intervention during sudden cardiac emergencies.
PubTIC has spoken with the AED Authority to discuss the critical role of defibrillators in pubs, exploring the life-saving benefits they offer, and highlighting real life examples where having one on hand made all the difference.
It is estimated that around 30,000 Australians die annually from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).
As one of the major causes of death in Australia, it is vital that pubs are prepared to deal with such an emergency.
An SCA can cause death within minutes. On average, there is around a seven per cent survival rate for those who do not receive immediate treatment. However, survival can be up to 70 per cent if a defibrillator is used within the first few minutes of an event.
Essentially, a defibrillator (also called a defib) is used to shock the heart back into its regular rhythm, or to restart it. This is done by sending electricity through the body.
While there are various types of defibrillators; Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are the type increasingly found in public places, and can be used by anyone in an emergency.
Defibrillators have been recommended for some time, and now from 2025 South Australia will be the first state to mandate the installation and registration of defibrillators in all public buildings and retirement villages.
This highlights how crucial it is to have AEDs in public spaces.
Even for staff trained in first aid, the use of an AED may appear daunting, yet anyone can save a life if they follow the DRSABCD action plan. Staff who have completed a first aid course will be very familiar with this.
In this best practice action plan, the final step is to use a defibrillator.
Contact the AED Authority for more information.
