St John Ambulance Australia has launched the Pocket AED, a compact automated external defibrillator (AED) designed to make life-saving technology more portable and accessible than ever before. Officially unveiled in Sydney earlier last week, the device is one of the smallest AEDs available in Australia and is now available through St John.

Weighing less than 700 grams, the Pocket AED can be carried in a backpack, handbag, glovebox or sports bag, helping keep life-saving support close at hand.

The launch comes at a time when increasing public access to AEDs remains a critical priority. More than 30,000 Australians experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest each year, including around 7,500 Victorians. With 80 per cent of cardiac arrests occurring in the home and survival chances decreasing by approximately 10 per cent for every minute defibrillation is delayed, having an AED nearby can make a life-saving difference.

St John Ambulance Victoria CEO Gordon Botwright said the Pocket AED represents an important step forward in making life-saving equipment more accessible to everyday Australians.

"When someone experiences a sudden cardiac arrest, every second matters. The closer an AED is to the person who needs it, the better their chance of survival."

"For many people, traditional AEDs are only available in fixed locations such as workplaces, community centres or public buildings. The Pocket AED offers a practical option for people who want to take that extra level of preparedness with them, whether they're travelling, working remotely, coaching sport or spending time outdoors."

Mr Botwright said greater access to AEDs, combined with CPR training, gives communities the confidence to act in an emergency.

"We know that bystanders save lives. Having the right equipment nearby, coupled with the confidence to use it, can make all the difference while waiting for emergency services to arrive."

"At St John, we're committed to helping more Victorians feel prepared for those critical moments. Innovations like the Pocket AED help put life-saving support within closer reach of the communities we serve."

Designed for life on the move

Despite its compact size, the Pocket AED incorporates a range of features designed to support a rapid response during a cardiac emergency, including:

• One-touch power on
• Smart voice guidance
• Adult and child-compatible smart pads
• CPR guidance with integrated metronome
• Defibrillation delivered in under eight seconds
• Drop testing to 1.5 metres
• Water and dust resistance
• Automatic weekly self-testing
• Bluetooth, 4G mobile communication and geo-location capability (subscription required)
• Quick-access pull strap for pad deployment
• Five-year manufacturer's warranty.

It's small but mighty, delivering: 

• Up to 130 shocks
• 150 joules for adults and 50 joules in child mode
• Time to shock of less than 8 seconds
• Replaceable pads (every 4 years) and battery (every 3 years)

The Pocked AED has gone through rigorous testing and clinical evaluation and is listed on the TGA here: St John Ambulance Australia Inc - Model P3 AED System - Non-rechargeable semi-automatic external defibrillator (524374) | Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). The device is also registered with CE-MDR and follows ISO 13485 certification.

Helping more communities be prepared

Every minute counts during a cardiac arrest, which is why St John continues to invest in practical solutions that make life-saving equipment more accessible. The Pocket AED expands St John’s range of defibrillators, giving workplaces, sporting clubs, community groups and individuals another way to be prepared when an emergency strikes.

Visit our website for more information.