Rory’s Life-Saving Device Now Available in Every Canberra Suburb

Last winter, Rory was walking to a café in Canberra’s inner north when he suddenly collapsed from a sudden cardiac arrest. Passersby called emergency services and used a nearby automated external defibrillator (AED) to restart his heart before paramedics arrived. That AED saved his life.

Now, every suburb across Canberra has at least one publicly accessible AED, thanks to a new ACT government program. This rollout means no Canberran is far from a life-saving device in an emergency.

What Is the Device That Saved Rory?

The device that saved Rory is an automated external defibrillator (AED) — a portable, user-friendly medical tool designed for use by anyone, even without medical training.

How AEDs Work

AEDs check a person’s heart rhythm and can deliver an electric shock to restore a normal rhythm during sudden cardiac arrest. They are built to be fail-safe for untrained users.

• No medical training is required to use them; clear voice prompts guide users step-by-step.
• They only deliver a shock if it is clinically needed, making them safe for public use.
• Every minute without defibrillation cuts survival chances by 10% for cardiac arrest victims.

New Rollout Means Every Canberra Suburb Has Access

The ACT government’s new Public Access Defibrillator Program has installed at least one AED in all 88 of Canberra’s suburbs, with high-traffic areas receiving multiple units.

You can now find AEDs in key community locations across the ACT:

• Local shopping centres, supermarkets and corner stores
• Public libraries, community centres and town halls
• Sports grounds, recreation facilities and playgrounds
• Major public transport hubs including bus interchanges and light rail stops

How to Find Your Nearest AED

Canberrans can locate their closest AED using the free AED Locations ACT app, or by checking the interactive map on the ACT Health website. Each unit is marked with a bright yellow sign for easy visibility in an emergency.

Why This Rollout Matters for Canberra Communities

Sudden cardiac arrest can strike anyone, anywhere — at home, at work, or out in the community. For Rory, quick access to an AED made the difference between life and death.

“I never thought I’d be the one to need an AED, but having one close by saved my life,” Rory said. “Now that they’re in every suburb, more people will have that same chance.”

Tips for Using an AED in an Emergency

If you encounter someone who has collapsed and is unresponsive, follow these simple steps:

1. Call 000 immediately to request emergency medical help.
2. Ask a bystander to fetch the nearest AED while you start hands-only CPR.
3. Turn on the AED and follow the voice prompts — it will tell you exactly where to place the adhesive pads.
4. Do not touch the person while the AED is analysing their heart rhythm or delivering a shock.
5. Continue CPR in between AED prompts until paramedics arrive, even if the device delivers a shock.

Conclusion

Rory’s story is a powerful reminder of how accessible life-saving medical devices can transform emergency outcomes. With AEDs now available in every Canberra suburb, more residents have the tools they need to save a life in a crisis.

Take a minute today to find your nearest AED using the ACT Health map or app — you never know when you might need it to help a friend, family member, or stranger.