In every workplace, safety is a top priority. One aspect of workplace safety is being prepared to respond to medical emergencies, such as sudden cardiac arrest. Health NSW highlights that over 8,500 people in NSW experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest each year, with a tragic 12% survival rate. However, studies have shown that the combination of CPR and defibrillation can increase survival rates by up to 70%. As businesses continue to uphold a safe working environment, implementing an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a worthwhile consideration. Explore how AEDs can help your workplace.
AED in the workplace
Businesses may contemplate installing AEDs to boost workplace safety, while also factoring:
- Legal Compliance: While not mandatory in all workplaces, providing access to AEDs can align with legal obligations to ensure a safe working environment.
- Risk Reduction: AEDs can mitigate the risk of fatalities from cardiac arrest, especially in workplaces where there’s a risk of electrocution, delays in ambulance services, or where there are large numbers of members of the public.
- Community Safety: A workplace AED can benefit not only employees but also customers and visitors, contributing to overall community safety. Registering your AED on the NSW Government register is a good way to contribute.
Understanding cardiac arrest and AEDs
Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart is no longer pumping blood and oxygen around to vital organs of the body. It’s crucial to differentiate cardiac arrest from a heart attack, which results from a blockage in the coronary arteries.
While CPR can help maintain blood flow, the use of an AED is essential to restore a normal heart rhythm. AEDs are designed for ease of use, with simple instructions that guide rescuers through the process. SafeWork NSW emphasises that AEDs are designed to be used by trained or untrained people and they provide step-by-step instruction on how to use them and perform CPR. Registering an AED with the NSW Government’s register can help the public identify nearby devices quickly to speed up response time too.
Choosing the right AED for your business
For businesses considering an AED, it’s essential to select the right one, such as the HeartSine Samaritan Series semi and fully-automatic defibrillators provided by AeroHealth. These AEDs offer ease of management and are ready to use by any first responder, with easy-to-understand visual and voice prompts guiding responders through the process. Additionally, the Series automatically runs a self-check each week to ensure it’s always operational and ready for use, which is identifiable via a ‘System Status Ready Indicator’ which flashes.
HeartSine’s leading Samaritan Series offers three models which can equip your business in the event of an emergency:
- HeartSine Samaritan 360P Fully-Automatic Defibrillator – Offers automatic shock delivery, eliminating the need for a rescuer to push a shock button.
- Heartsine Samaritan 350P Semi-Automatic Defibrillator – Offers semi-automatic shock delivery, allowing the rescuer to push the shock button when prompted.
- HeartSine Samaritan 500P Semi-Automatic Defibrillator (CPR Advisor) – Offers real-time CPR feedback on the effectiveness of the CPR being provided to the victim, with a shock delivered by the rescuer.
- Browse more defibrillators here
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Learning about and considering an AED in your business can help create a safer work environment and increase the chances of survival in critical situations. Working with leading First-aid suppliers like AeroHealth, we can help you receive the right information that assists you in making the best decision for your business. Talk to our team today to get started.
