Without warning, one of your staff members collapses. They are instantly unconscious, not responding and have stopped breathing normally. What do you do? Certainly, this is the stuff that nightmares of made of. Yet 5 cases of out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest happen in New Zealand every day. That gives you and your staff members high odds of being the first responders.
Sudden cardiac arrest sufferers need CPR and defibrillation immediately to survive. Lost time kills! Every minute a sudden cardiac arrest patient goes without CPR and defibrillation, their survival odds plummet by 10%. So as first responders, you or your staff members literally hold the patient’s life in your hands. Chilling thought? Understandably. But fortunately, support is at hand. With basic CPR training and automated electronic defibrillation (AED) as part of your workforce, your business is ready to save lives.
Here’s 6 reasons why your workplace needs an AED now:
1. Only AEDs restart the heart
Sudden cardiac arrest is a heart-stopper. Literally. If you are faced with sudden cardiac arrest you are faced with a heart that has stopped. Only defibrillation can deliver a shock that can re-start a heart’s natural rhythm. Sadly, in New Zealand, only 4% of out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest patients received defibrillation by a community responder. That means 96% missed out! What a lot of lost time and lost lives. Kitting your workforce out with AEDs is one of the most responsible and impactful moves you can make.
2. Sudden cardiac arrest can happen anytime to anyone
No warning. This is the calling card of sudden cardiac arrest. Sufferers typically show no signs or symptoms leading up to sudden cardiac arrest. Having AEDs as part of your workforce help your staff respond to sudden cardiac arrest. Whether the sufferer is a workmate, visitor to your business or someone they encounter out in the community. Having AEDs on your workforce means that defibrillation can be administered on the spot.
3. Survival rate declines as each minute passes
How are these for sobering stats? Without an AED on your workforce you have no means to deliver defibrillation. Remember that every minute that passes without CPR and defibrillation, a patient’s survival odds go down by 10%. So even if ambulance/emergency services arrive promptly 5 minutes later, the patient’s survival rates have already plummeted by 50%.
4. Anyone can use an AED
AEDs are true to their name. Known in full as automated external defibrillators they automate every step of the defibrillation process. That means anyone can use an AED. No specialist training or skills are required. That said, workplace AED training is available and can very supportive for your business.
5. Optimise your OH&S cred
Every Kiwi business owes a duty of care to its employees. But not only are your obligations a legal requirement of OHS and WorkSafe. You also have a moral and ethical obligation to keep your people and workplace safe. What a difference AEDs can make to your workplace safety cred. These ‘lifesavers in a box’ hugely extend your first aid footprint and ensure your business is emergency-ready.
6. AEDs are now even easier and affordable to include in your workforce
With a variety of AEDs on the market, you have a great range of choice. Most AEDs are easy to install either inside or outside your premises. But now CellAED is mobilising defibrillation even further. These small, lightweight, compact AEDs are simply the size of your mobile phone. So CellAED fits effortlessly in every glove box of your vehicle fleet, first aid kids, even laptop bags. Should your staff encounter sudden cardiac arrest off-site or in their community, CellAED can be right on the spot.
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