In emergencies, you could save someone’s life if you understand how to use a defibrillator. A cardiac arrest can occur anywhere, and if you don’t treat it quickly, it can lead to demise.
Every second that passes after an individual experience a cardiac arrest: without successful CPR and a defibrillator, the odd of survival drops by 5%. For this reason, defibrillators are very crucial to have around the place of work. Read on to learn more about the importance of having a defibrillator in the workplace.
- A defibrillator increases the chances of survival.
A defibrillator is significant because it substantially increases the patient’s odds of survival. When an individual suffers from an abrupt cardiac arrest: their odds of survival drop by 5-8% every minute that goes by without defibrillation.
Furthermore, when you use the defibrillator within 2 minutes, you can improve the individual’s odds of survival by 5% to 80%. Undoubtedly, Artificial External Defibrillators (AED) can provide a life-saving electric shock, which many a time implies the difference between survival and demise.
- It offers quick responses to emergencies.
Every workplace should offer defibrillators to minimize the risks of mortality from cardiac arrest by handling all emergencies quickly. Even though CPR can extend life, defibrillation is the most effective way of restoring a deadly heart rhythm to normal.
All workplaces that potentially expose their employees to electrocution must invest in an AED to reduce these hazards. All the more, ambulances and doctors can arrive late in the place of work. Therefore, by having an Artificial External Defibrillator and training your staff to use them: your workplace will always be ready to deal with sudden situations.
- It promotes a secure workplace.
Each enterprise in any industry should be strongly promoting a secure workplace. This activity will guarantee that your staff’s health and welfare is continuously maintained. By establishing a supportive workplace that appreciates reassurance and safety, you’ll facilitate better staff satisfaction and greater productivity.
There’s nothing more significant than stressing about your employee safety and promoting a secure work environment. You can achieve this by installing a defibrillator in your workplace, more so, in sections where it’s visible and accessible.
When Not To Use an Artificial External Defibrillator
There are two main instances when using a defibrillator might be ineffective or even hazardous. You shouldn’t administer an electric shock if:
- The patient is experiencing a heart attack.
It’s normal to mistake a heart attack for a cardiac arrest. However, these are different conditions requiring different protocols. Heart attacks are plumbing issues, while cardiac arrests are electrical issues. Automated electrical defibrillators will not help heart attack victims; conversely, it might put them in more danger.
The wonderful news is that you can easily tell the distinction between heart attacks and cardiac arrests. If the patient is in pain and at the same time, they are breathing and are responsive, it’s most probably a heart attack. However, if the patient is unresponsive, you’re most likely handling a cardiac arrest.
- The patient has a DNR.
A DNR is more of an ethical problem than a safety concern.
Since you never know when a sudden cardiac arrest will strike, always ensure that you have a working defibrillator in your workplace. One day, it might save someone’s life.
