Now the state government has committed to rolling out 180 AEDs over the next two years, in what Health Minister Michael Ferguson has called the single biggest investment in community defibrillators Tasmania has ever seen.

“When a heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating, having a defibrillator deliver an electric current within the first few minutes is critical,” Mr Ferguson said. 

“The chance of survival after a cardiac arrest declines by up to 10 per cent a minute, so early access to an AED is live-saving.

“The cost of an AED is often outside the reach of many not-for-profit and community-led organisations, so this fund is an important investment in community safety.”

The commitment has been welcomed by the Australian Hearts campaign, which is calling on all state and federal governments to make defibrillators mandatory in every Australian workplace. 

Australian Hearts Ambassador, Damian Erich said Tasmania was setting the standard for improving access to AEDs in the community. 

“This is great news for everyone in Tasmania, which will mean greater access to life-saving AEDs for community groups, not-for-profits and individuals,” he said. 

“This decision will give more people the opportunity to save lives in the community and the Tasmanian Government should be applauded for such a fantastic initiative.

“With around 30,000 people dying unexpectedly from sudden cardiac arrest death every year, we now need other governments to step up just like Tasmania has.”

Online applications to host an AED are open to individuals, community organisations and not-for-profit organisations and can be made here. 

Applications close November 5, 2018, and will be assessed on location, accessibility, ability to maintain, and the defibrillator being registered.

The location of existing AEDs can be found here. 

To register an AED, click here.

While you're with us, did you know that you can now sign up to receive breaking news updates direct to your inbox. Sign up here.