There is a necessity for CPR and AED training in the event of any emergencies that could occur in the workplace. This is a highly encouraged training that most employees should undergo, as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Even for companies with low health risks within the workplace, undergoing CPR and AED training and certification is still a necessity.
What is CPR and AED?
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, commonly known as CPR, is the technique utilized to help victims of sudden cardiac arrest. It is a commonly known procedure that requires applying repeated pressure to the chest area of a victim to ensure that the blood keeps flowing through the body, even if the heart is stopped. This allows blood to deliver oxygen to other parts of the body, the primary function of the heart. In essence, the goal of CPR is keeping blood flow, not reviving a person; although there have been many instances of return of spontaneous circulation.
An Automatic External Defibrillator, commonly known as AED, is a device that helps diagnose the current status of the heart of a patient, from arrhythmias to the lack of a heartbeat, and adjusts accordingly to deliver a shock that could potentially return the beating of the heart of the patient to normal. This is a small and portable device that can be easily carried around. This device is a lightweight version of defibrillators, the machines made popular by medical dramas depicting it as a medium-sized machine that is wheeled around to rooms where patients are undergoing cardiac arrest.
An Employer’s Civic Duty
CPR and AED training therefore, is an essential procedure to undergo to ensure that the workplace is a safe place for everyone within it. It is counted as a civic duty that employers should have their employees undergo. There are certification courses that train individuals more than enough, to become adept in using CPR techniques, and utilizing the AED in times of emergencies. A good employer can partner up with a trusted training institution for CPR and AED use so that the whole company can reap the benefits of readiness, as well as create a healthy and helpful environment for sufferers and those susceptible to heart diseases.
Additionally, employers should have an AED within their premises and establishment at all times. Even with the training, without the actual equipment, there would be no reason for employees to utilize their training on the subject. There are available models of automatic external defibrillator which make it easier to use, and are more portable than others, so it is up to the employer to consult with the experts on AEDs to find out which one is the best for the company.
Knowing about these procedures is not only helpful within the company, it is also a great way of being helpful to others in the outside world. By being able to administer proper CPR and use an AED on a patient, any individual may become the reason why a patient is alive today.
