Act quickly to save lives
April 1st 2006 Cardiovascular disease, the single main cause of death in the UK, accounts for just under a quarter of a million deaths each year. Of these, 12,000 people suffer cardiac arrest in a public place. Many of these victims can survive if bystanders act immediately while the heart is still in ventricular fibrillation (VF). A key objective of the National Service Framework has been to provide faster treatment to those with heart problems and the introduction of a life saving piece of equipment into public places has greatly increased the chances of survival for many of these people. Erika Little of Emergency First Response explains
The automatic external defibrillator (AED) is a small, safe, lightweight piece of equipment which can deliver a shock to someone in cardiac arrest. Electrical defibrillation is well established as the only effective treatment for cardiac arrest caused by VF. The chances of successful defibrillation decline at a rate of 10% with every minute of delay in deploying an AED. Once the machine is switched on, the AED monitors the heart activity of the victim and through a series of voice prompts guides the user through the steps to deliver a shock, if appropriate, to jump start the heart. The AED will not allow a shock to be delivered to a person whose heart doesn't require a shock.
In July 1999 the government announced its intention to invest money into installing AEDs into busy public places such as airports and railway, underground and coach stations and to train employees working at such sites in basic life support, including the use of AEDs. As a result, in 2000 The National Defibrillator Programme came about and, due to its huge success, is ongoing today. To date 110 sites across the country have had up to 3000 AEDs installed and over 6000 employees have been trained in basic life support and the use of AEDs. Training for the National Defibrillator Programme is being carried out by local ambulance trusts. Research and data collated from this programme have shown that early defibrillation plays a vital role in the survival of cardiac arrest victims and that the deployment of and training in the use of AEDs is critical.
While access to defibrillators in busy public places is important, it is also worth considering the need for AEDs in the workplace environment. At present there is still no specific legal requirement for employers to provide defibrillators in the workplace but, due to the prevalence of heart disease and specifically cardiac arrest, it's important for employers to determine whether or not the risk assessment of a particular site and workforce merits the installation of and training in the use of an AED.
In the past, first aid training providers and organisations offered a comprehensive range of courses in basic life support but not necessarily in the use of AEDs. Today, with raised public awareness due to seeing AEDs in many public places and reading and hearing about them in the news more people are interested in being trained in their use.
In response to this, first aid training organisations now offer short courses that focus on training the participant in the use of an AED.
There is nothing mysterious or complicated in learning to use an AED. It should not be thought of as an advanced life saving piece of equipment or technique and everyone should have the right to master its use. Training can generally be completed in an hour or two and some first aid organisations such as Emergency First Response offer AED training as an integral part of all their first aid courses.
So, from employees working at public sites to private businesses large and small, right down to individuals wishing to ensure that their loved ones are in capable hands, now is the time for people to be trained in the use of AEDs. If you haven't already, isn't it time you considered training your workforce in the use of these life saving pieces of equipment?
Bulletin
Emergency First Response has been approved by the Health and Safety Executive (GB) in relation to the Health and Safety (first aid) Regulations 1981.
All courses, whether a one day basic first aid course or the approved First Aid at Work course, include automatic external defibrillator training.
Whether you're looking for an in-house first aid training solution package, a one off first aid programme, a career as a first aid instructor or you're interested in setting up your own first aid business Emergency First Response can advise.
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