Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are essential components of workplace emergency plans. Nearly 600,000 people suffer from cardiac arrest each year, with a large portion of those cases ending in fatality. Approximately two-thirds of these cases occur outside of a hospital setting, and it’s estimated that cardiac arrest is the third leading cause of death in the US behind cancer and heart disease.
Surviving cardiac arrest requires the right people to be present at the right time, which is the reason why many workplaces offer First Aid, CPR, and AED training to their employees. If someone enters cardiac arrest, a trained individual or layperson responder can recognize the situation and take immediate action. The American Red Cross and American Heart Association both identify early defibrillation as a key to surviving cardiac arrest.
Know the Risks
According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, Cardiac arrest does not allow a large survival rate:
• 24% of patients who enter cardiac arrest in a hospital survive
• Less than 6% of patients survive when suffering from cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting.
Keys to Keep You Safe
Understand what an emergency looks like by knowing the signs and symptoms of sudden illnesses that can occur in the workplace.
It’s also important to understand how to respond to these emergencies. Know who you need to call and what supplies you need to help.
Ensure your employees know that the facility is equipped with an AED and where it is located. Your employees should also be trained to use the AED available in the facility.
Contact Us
Dawood offers adult and pediatric American Red Cross First Aid, CPR, and AED training for our employees and other organizations. Are your employees ready for an emergency? We can help keep your company compliant!