You've got a defibrillator. Great decision. Now let's make sure it's set up so it actually works when it's needed. Where you put it, how you mark it, and how you keep it ready are the things that turn "we have one somewhere" into "we're genuinely prepared."
Where to put it
The general rule is that your defibrillator should be reachable from any point in your building within two to three minutes. In practice, this usually means a central, high-traffic location that people pass regularly.
Good spots include:
- Near the main reception or front entrance
- Next to fire extinguishers or first aid stations (people already look to these areas in an emergency)
- In a main corridor or break room
- Near areas with higher physical activity like a gym, workshop floor, or loading dock
Avoid putting it somewhere locked, behind a counter, or in a room that's only accessible to certain staff. In an emergency, anyone needs to be able to grab it quickly.
If your building has multiple floors or covers a large area, you may need more than one device. A simple test: if it would take more than three minutes to get to the AED and back to the person, it's worth adding a second unit.
Indoor or outdoor cabinet?
If your defibrillator is mounted on a wall inside, a basic indoor cabinet does the job. It keeps the device visible, protected, and clearly identifiable.
If it's going outside, in a car park, on a sporting field, or at a remote site, you'll need a weatherproof outdoor cabinet. These are rated to handle rain, dust, UV exposure, and temperature extremes. The St John outdoor cabinet (included in our G5 bundles) is designed for Australian conditions.
Some cabinets include an alarm that sounds when opened. This isn't about security. It's about letting other people nearby know that someone has grabbed the AED, which can prompt them to call 000, clear the area, or come and help.
Signage matters more than you'd think
Standard AED signage is a green and white heart symbol that's universally recognised. You need it in two places:
- On or immediately next to the cabinet so people can spot it from a distance
- At key decision points in your building, like corridor junctions, stairwells, and near exits, with directional arrows pointing toward the AED
Think of it like fire exit signage. If someone is moving quickly and under pressure, they need to be able to follow signs without stopping to read anything. Look up, see green heart, go that way.
We include AED signage in our G5 bundles as standard, because we've seen too many workplaces buy a defibrillator, mount it on a wall, and then have people walk past it for months without realising it's there.
Keeping it rescue-ready
Modern defibrillators do most of the maintenance work themselves. The G5 runs automatic self-tests daily, weekly, and monthly, checking the battery, pads, and internal circuitry. A visible Rescue Ready indicator on the front of the device shows green when everything's good to go.
Your part is simple:
- Nominate a person to do a quick visual check once a month. Are the pads in date? Is the battery indicator green? Is the cabinet in good shape?
- Track expiry dates for pads and battery. G5 pads have a 2-year shelf life, and the battery lasts up to 4 years. Pop a reminder in your calendar.
- Replace pads and batteries before they expire. This is the most common reason a workplace AED isn't ready when it's needed.
- Keep the area clear. Don't stack boxes in front of it or hang a coat over the signage. Sounds obvious, but it happens all the time.
The AED ready pack
One thing that often gets overlooked: having the basics you need during a rescue right there with the device. An AED ready pack typically includes gloves, a razor (to shave chest hair for better pad contact), scissors (to cut clothing), and a face shield for CPR.
These small items make a real difference. If you're placing pads on someone's chest and there's body hair in the way, you need a razor right there, not across the room in a first aid kit. The St John AED ready pack is included in our G5 bundles for exactly this reason.
The bundle makes this simple
We put the G5 bundle together to take the guesswork out of getting set up. For $2,400 (reduced from $3,002.95 as part of our EOFY sale), you get the defibrillator, an outdoor cabinet, an AED ready pack, and signage. Everything you need to go from "we bought one" to "we're rescue-ready" in a single purchase.
Already bought a standalone G5? You can still get the cabinet, ready pack, and signage separately. But the bundle saves you over $600 compared to buying each piece on its own.
