Automatic external defibrillators
The AED on Howard Street near the nursing home
Around Shoreham there are four publicly accessible defibrillators, known as AEDs, for community use.
If you see someone in who is having sudden cardiac arrest first call 000 and then get the AED closest to that person and follow the prompts.
They are designed for untrained bystanders to use.
You could be a life saver.
Where to find the AEDs
1. The Tennis Club on Cliff Road
The AED on the Tennis Club veranda
2. Shoreham Post Office and General Store at 57 Byrnes Road
Located just left of the post boxes this AED was donated by a generous local who wishes to remain anonymous. The Shoreham community is very grateful for this truly helpful gift.
The AED to the left of the post boxes at the General Store
3. Telstra property on Nelson Street near Annie’s Court nursing home
Near the intersection of Frankston Flinders Road and Nelson Street, this AED is located just right of the driveway in a stand alone protective box and is well lit at night Our thanks to Telstra for generously allowing us to use their site.
4. The beach track at the intersection of Viewbank Street and Lexington Avenue
This is where the fire track leads from the road reserve down to the beach . We hope this will not only provide emergency assistance to the residents of the Coryule Estate, but also all the visitors, surfers and tourists using the beaches near 1st Reef and Honeysuckle. Bollards have been placed in front of the unit to prevent vehicles from damaging it and any blocking of its visibility.
The AED on Lexington Avenue
How to use the AED
These devices are portable, easy to use, voice prompted and specifically designed to help untrained rescuers support someone who is experiencing a loss of consciousness or unstable heart rhythms. They are semi-automatic which means that they will not give a shock unless necessary. Once attached to a person with adhesive electrodes, the AED checks for shockable rhythms and will verbally guide the user when to shock. Prompt sheets are with the AED to help you.
The AED will instruct the user to call 000 immediately and then begin CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation). The AED will check the rate of compressions and verbally advise the rescuer how to check and proceed safely until help from Ambulance Victoria arrives. Ambulance Victoria will remain on the phone to support you until paramedics arrive. It can also direct you to your nearest AED if you don’t know where they are, as all of our AEDs are recorded on its system.
If used with CPR within 3-5 minutes of collapse survival rates from cardiac arrest rise considerably. According to the 2024-2025 Victorian Ambulance Cardiac Arrest Registry report, Ambulance Victoria currently has a 44% out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rate, the best in Australia; it is second best in the world after Denmark which has a 50.2% survival rate. In part this is due to community awareness and willingness to help.
All four sites are well lit at night and are available 24 hours a day. All have parking access and clear signage. Each AED is in its own easy carry pack.
If you wish to learn more about how to use one so that you are prepared for any emergencies, please email the SCA at shorehamcommunity@gmail.com or contact Ambulance Victoria through their website.
Funding and maintenance of Shoreham’s AEDsThe four units need regular checking and maintenance. Batteries and electrodes require regular replacement. The SCA has taken on this large and ongoing responsibility and expense.
This is currently funded by our generous SCA members through their annual contributions and by sponsors such as the Mornington Peninsula Shire (MPS) and Community Bendigo Bank. We thank you all for your generosity.
We are currently lobbying the MPS to look after the units.
If Ambulance Victoria attends an emergency where one of our AEDs is used, the paramedics will replace the used electrodes with brand new ones for the next emergency.
Remember always to call 000 first