Taking the necessary precautions to maximise employee safety is something many workplaces across the globe are now more proactive about.
Ways to be vigilant about workplace health and safety include; detailed health-and-safety policies, well-rehearsed fire-drill procedures, high-tech security, fully stocked first-aid kits as well as clearly marked fire-exits and fire-extinguishers.
As a nation, workplace health and safety is taken more seriously now than it has been in recent years. Cardiac health is often still overlooked. There are many workplaces without defibrillators that would not be equipped to respond to a sudden cardiac arrest.
A sudden cardiac arrest and a heart attack are both potentially fatal cardiac emergencies. Approximately 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur each year in the UK. Cardiac arrest can strike anyone, often without warning.
The most common cause of cardiac arrest is ventricular fibrillation. Ventricular fibrillation happens when an electrical malfunction occurs, causing the heart to stop pumping blood and ‘fibrillate’ instead. Cardiac arrest causes the victim to lose consciousness and stop breathing.
A heart attack occurs when an artery that supplies the heart with blood and oxygen becomes blocked. Symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath and feeling weak or lightheaded. Without immediate treatment, a heart attack can lead to cardiac arrest.
The average worker spends approximately 40 hours per week in work. As sudden cardiac arrest can strike anyone at any time or place, workplace defibrillators are essential.
Certain job roles put workers at a higher risk of experiencing SCA than others. Construction workers are known to have an increased risk due to the physically demanding nature of their job.
The only way to successfully treat a victim of cardiac arrest is with effective CPR and defibrillation.
Anyone can use an automated external defibrillator to save the life of someone in cardiac arrest.
A defibrillator has pads to be placed on the victim’s chest. These pads assess the victim’s heart to identify whether or not the victim is suffering cardiac arrest and in need of a shock from the device. A shock will be delivered automatically when required if the device is fully automatic. Semi-automatic devices require the rescuer to press a button to deliver a shock when required.
Visual cues and audio prompts provide instructions to guide the rescuer through the process.
The average response time for an ambulance is 11 minutes. This is often too late to treat a patient who has suffered a cardiac arrest.
Therefore, swift treatment from an equipped bystander and a nearby defibrillator is essential to increase the patient’s chance of survival.
SCA comes without warning, your staff will be much better protected if your workplace is ready and prepared to deal with it.
Having staff who are trained in CPR and on onsite defibrillator that is clearly marked and always within easy reach will ensure quick, effective treatment can be provided if required.
Here at defibshop, we have a full range of defibrillators to suit all budgets, and we offer training to ensure you are confident in using your device if required.
defibshop are committed to equipping everyone with the skills and knowledge to save a life. Speak to one of our Product Specialists on 0161 776 7422 or fill out our Contact Form.
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