Life support customers

If you or someone at your residence has a medical condition and rely on a continuous supply of electricity to run critical medical equipment, we need to know.

We encourage our life support customers to sign up for our free SMS service which is available to all customers. Signing up to this service means we will proactively send you an SMS advising of any upcoming maintenance that may effect your power supply and we’ll also send you messages in case of unplanned outages. Did you know that you can sign up a carer, friend or support person to receive notices regarding when your power goes out?

Sign up to receive free SMS updates

If you need help to sign up for the free SMS updates, please call us Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm on 13 12 61.

Being registered as a life support customer does not guarantee uninterrupted power supply or prioritised restoration. If you need the peace of mind of uninterrupted supply, please speak to a licensed electrical contractor about your supply options. It is also important to create a plan of action with your doctor or life support equipment supplier to ensure you are prepared in the event of a power interruption.

What is a life support customer?

If you, or a person residing at your property, requires any of the equipment below, you are eligible to register as a life support customer.

• an oxygen concentrator
• an intermittent peritoneal dialysis machine
• a kidney dialysis machine
• continuous positive airways pressure respirator
• crigler najjar syndrome phototherapy equipment
• ventilator for life support
• Other equipment that a registered medical practitioner certifies as required for life support.

How do I register as a life support customer?

To register as a life support customer you will need your medical practitioner to complete and return this Medical Certificate.

Return the completed certificate to us via:

• Email: lifesupport@sapowernetworks.com.au
• Mail:
  SA Power Networks Market Operations DX11101
  GPO Box 77
  Adelaide, SA, 5001

About emergency and unplanned electrical outages

We provide a safe and reliable power supply to South Australia, however, circumstances beyond our control such as weather, wildlife, or vehicles contacting power poles, can result in a power outage without warning.

We always act promptly to restore power following a fault, however we are not always able to guarantee power restoration within a set timeframe. Estimated power restoration information we provide customers directly, or via our website's outages page, must be treated as a guideline only.

It's important for you to plan in advance before a power outage affects you. Discuss appropriate options with your doctor or life support equipment supplier.

In a health emergency, call 000

Report faults and power outages to us 24/7 on 13 13 66 

Be prepared, have a plan of action

In case of a power interruption, you should have a plan to minimise the impact on your health. Ask yourself the following questions:

• How does your life support equipment perform if the power supply fails?
• If you have a back-up battery, is it fully charged for use at all times?
• If you have reserve oxygen cylinders, are they filled and working?
• Have you made a note of the nearest hospital, its address and contact details?
• Do you know if your hospital can supply power via back-up generators during power interruptions?
• If your back-up battery or is low on power or generator is low on fuel, and power has not been restored to your home, do you have a transport plan in place to enable you to get to the hospital?
• Do you have important contact numbers on hand for:
  • Your doctor
  • The local hospital
  • Ambulance
  • Taxi
  • Your personal carer
  • Health care professional
• Is your supply of medications, prescription drugs and any special health needs fully stocked?
• Have you protected your electronic equipment by plugging computers and other sensitive equipment into surge suppressors
• Have you considered an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for temporary back-up power?

Top Tip: Does your phone still work when your power is out? Cordless phones and landlines won't operate without power supply. Do you have an alternative phone service available?