Cardiac incidents in the workplace are normally unpredictable and having an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) close by can often significantly increase the chances of survival.

Sudden cardiac arrest is when the heart suddenly stops beating. A person becomes unresponsive and stops breathing normally. It can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time—to children, teens, or adults, regardless of age, physical fitness, or health history.

Studies have shown that the use of CPR and an AED within 3-4 minutes of collapse can increase the chance of sudden cardiac arrest survival by more than 60 percent. For each additional minute that passes without defibrillation, the chance of survival decreases by 10 percent.¹ That’s why it’s so important to understand where the AEDs are in the places you spend the most amounts of time.

To be better prepared for responding to someone experiencing sudden cardiac arrest in your place of business:

• Get CPR and AED certified. A quick internet search can help you find a local training class for either individual or group training.
• Consider having one or more AEDs installed within your business’s physical locations. It is recommended to have one AED within 1-2 minutes of any location within a building.² AEDs should be prominently displayed and visible to all customers and visitors in case of an emergency.
• Educate your employees. Ensure everyone within your business understands that when they see someone become unresponsive and stop breathing normally, they need to call 911, start CPR, and tell someone to get an AED.

Ensuring that AED's are readily available and promoting awareness of their usage to your employees can save lives during a cardiac emergency. No business is too small to have the necessary equipment to potentially save lives. 

<sup>1. National Library of Medicine. Defribillation. 2022
2. U.S. Department of Labor: Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Best Practices Guide: Fundamentals of a Workplace First-Aid Program. 2006</sup>