Tag: heartsaver cpr & aed training

The AED Saves Lives (but only if we use it!)

ucm541360There is good news and bad news in the world of the AED. The good news is that Automatic External Defibrillators, the portable “shockers” that have taken emergency CPR to new levels of success, are more available than ever.  The bad news? Many regular folks – the people for whom the AED was designed – are afraid to use them.

Every day you read an article about some city or county mandating that AED’s be installed in every municipal building, recreational facility, or police car. Retail, office, and manufacturing settings are getting involved as well. Just as often, you read a story about how the guys on the factory floor or the basketball court – some trained, some not – saved their buddy’s life with CPR and an AED.

The fact is, CPR + AED has twice the survival rate of CPR alone. We need more regular folks to step up, grab the AED down from the wall, and take action!  BUT…

  • “…the number of cases when an AED is used is very low — just 0.15-4.3% of cardiac arrests that occur outside of hospitals.” StudyFinds.org
  • “When asked if they were willing to use the AED, over 80 percent of people said they were wary.” EMS1.com
  • “Less than 5 percent of the public feels comfortable using an Automatic Electronic Defibrillator when someone has a heart attack.” WTOV.com

images_227So why do we hesitate? The studies suggest two big themes:

  • Lack of confidence: No way can I figure that thing out during a crisis!
  • Fear of doing harm: What if I do it wrong and make things worse…and maybe get sued?

If you have ever had these thoughts, you are not alone. Fortunately, there are two things that can combat these doubts: Knowing the machine and knowing the laws.

First, the AED pretty much tells you what to do. Some even “speak” to you and give audio instructions. And it’s nearly impossible to shock a person at the wrong time, because the AED won’t let you.

Second, South Carolina – like at least 36 other states – has a Good Samaritan Law that protects you from liability when giving aid in an emergency.

CPR/AED Training Improves Confidence and Effectiveness

That’s the brief take on fighting the ignorance and fear of the AED. But you can gain real confidence, and deeper knowledge, with proper CPR/AED training. Southeastern-CPR trainers, first responders with decades of life-saving experience, can give you the confidence and know-how to make a difference in time of emergency. If you are in Charleston, the Lowcountry or anywhere in South Carolina, contact us today!

 

 

 

Workplace CPR Training Saves Lives!

trainIs there a need to teach CPR in the workplace? Well, let’s do the math! If there are 168 hours in a week (and there are!) and you spend 40 of those hours at work, then you are spending a quarter of your life at that desk or on the shop floor. And, statistics say that there are over 10,000 heart attacks at work each year.

Is YOUR Workplace Prepared for Cardiac Emergency?

So if you, or a coworker, or maybe a customer experience a cardiac emergency in the workplace, will you, or they, or ANYBODY be prepared to act? According to the American Heart Association, probably not.

Most U.S. employees are not prepared to handle cardiac emergencies in the workplace because they lack training in CPR and First Aid, according to new survey results from the American Heart Association (AHA), the world’s leading voluntary health organization devoted to fighting cardiovascular disease. AHA

In a survey of over 3000 people in various fields, the AHA learned that 55% of us can’t get CPR or AED (Automated External Defibrillator) training from our employers. Those employers that offer them tend to only offer one or the other, but not both. Another troubling stat? Half of us know that there is an AED around the building somewhere, but we’re not sure where it is!

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Quick Workplace CPR is a Key to Survival

But hey, no sweat – just call 911! Well… During a heart attack, you have four to six minutes before lack of oxygen starts the process of brain death. The average EMT response time is around 8 minutes. Once again, do the math. And if you work in one of those shops where it takes you ten minutes to twist and turn your way to your station…

Convenient CPR & AED Training in Your Workplace

Having people on your staff trained to perform CPR and use the AED is critical to providing a swift and effective response during a workplace cardiac emergency. And receiving that training is simple and convenient. Southeastern-CPR’s trainers, with decades of EMT experience, will come to your office or shop and train your staff in your environment using real world scenarios. CPR, AED, First Aid and other classes are available to prepare you and your team for a workplace emergency.

Isn’t it time to get your staff up to speed with workplace CPR training?  Contact Southeastern-CPR to find out how!