Every minute counts. Are you truly prepared to intervene?

October 16 — World Restart a Heart Day

You are at work and a colleague suddenly collapses. They are unresponsive and not breathing normally. Someone calls 911, and another person looks for the defibrillator.

But do you know what you should do while waiting for help? Would you be able to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)? And if a defibrillator were brought to you, would you dare to use it?

We all hope never to experience such a situation. But if it happens, it is better to know what to do.

Every year on October 16, World Restart a Heart Day reminds us of the importance of learning life-saving skills.

It is also a good opportunity to ask ourselves if our workplaces, schools, and sports facilities are truly ready to deal with a cardiac arrest.

Cardiac arrest can happen anywhere

In Canada, approximately 60,000 cardiac arrests occur annually outside of hospitals, according to Heart & Stroke. That represents about one cardiac arrest every nine minutes.

A cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood effectively. The person loses consciousness and is no longer breathing normally. Without quick intervention, their chances of survival decrease significantly.

It is estimated that every minute that passes without CPR or defibrillation reduces the chances of survival by about 10%.

Hence the importance of the first people on the scene. By quickly starting CPR and using an automated external defibrillator (AED), they can maintain minimal blood circulation and, when the heart rhythm allows, help restore effective cardiac activity.

You do not need to be a healthcare professional to intervene. Some basic knowledge and accessible equipment can already make a difference.

What should you do if someone suffers a cardiac arrest?

When a person collapses, does not respond, and is not breathing normally, you must act quickly.

Here are the three essential steps to know.

1. Call 911

Contact emergency services immediately. If you are surrounded by others, ask someone to fetch the nearest defibrillator.

The 911 dispatcher will be able to support you and explain what actions to take.

2. Start CPR

If the person is unconscious and not breathing normally, start chest compressions.

For an adult, place your hands in the center of their chest and perform firm, fast compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute.

If you have never been trained or do not know how to perform rescue breaths, perform at least continuous chest compressions by following the dispatcher's instructions.

Do not wait until you are sure you have mastered the technique before intervening.

3. Use a defibrillator as soon as it is available

Turn on the AED and follow its voice or visual instructions.

The device will tell you how to place the pads on the victim's chest. It will then analyze their heart rhythm to determine if an electric shock is necessary.

Ensure no one is touching the victim during the analysis and, if a shock is advised, while it is being administered.

Then continue CPR by following the device and dispatcher's instructions until help arrives or the person shows obvious signs of life.

Can you use a defibrillator without training?

Yes. Automated external defibrillators are designed to be used by the general public, even without medical training.

Yet, many people are still hesitant to use them.

The fear of making a mistake, not placing the pads correctly, or hurting the victim can take over.

It is precisely to reduce these hesitations that AEDs are equipped with voice or visual instructions that guide the user, step by step.

The device explains where to place the pads, when to step away from the victim, and when to resume chest compressions.

Of course, training in CPR and AED use remains highly recommended. It allows you to practice the maneuvers in a supervised environment and develop the right reflexes.

But if you witness a cardiac arrest and an AED is available, you can use it even if you have never received training.

Can you hurt someone by using an AED?

This is a frequent concern, especially among people who have never handled a defibrillator.

You should know that an AED does not deliver an electric shock just because you press a button.

The device first analyzes the heart rhythm and determines if defibrillation is necessary. If no shock is advised, it will not administer one.

There are two main types of defibrillators:

• Semi-automatic AEDs: they ask the user to press a button when a shock is recommended.
• Fully automatic AEDs: they administer the shock automatically after warning the user to stop touching the victim.

In both cases, it is important to follow the device's safety instructions, in particular, never touching the person while the heart rhythm is being analyzed or a shock is being administered.

The AED is therefore designed to allow for safe intervention, even by a person with no medical experience.

Your company has an AED. But is it really ready to be used?

Having a defibrillator in your business, school, or sports center is an excellent initiative. However, you must be able to count on it when an emergency occurs.

You may know there is an AED somewhere in your building. But do you know exactly where it is? Do your colleagues know too?

And when was the last time someone checked its condition?

We don't necessarily think about it every day, especially when a device has never been used. However, pads have an expiration date, batteries have a limited lifespan, and some devices may require maintenance.

A defibrillator that remains installed for several years without proper monitoring might not be ready when it is needed.

How do you know if your AED is ready to function?

A few checks can help you assess the condition of your equipment.

Is the device easily accessible?

An AED installed in a locked room or whose location no one knows risks causing the loss of precious minutes. It must be quickly accessible to people who might need to use it.

Are the pads still valid?

The pads have a shelf life determined by the manufacturer. They must be replaced when they reach their expiration date, even if they have never been used.

Is the battery functional?

Depending on the model, the battery must be replaced at specific intervals or when the device indicates that service is required.

Does the device indicate that it is ready to be used?

Many defibrillators have a light or status indicator that allows you to quickly check their availability. It is important to know the meaning of these indicators and follow the manufacturer's recommendations.

Who is responsible for its maintenance?

In an organization, it should be clear who monitors the equipment, who checks expiration dates, and who takes action when a replacement is needed.

If you don't know the answers to these questions, it might be the right time to perform a check.

October 16, why not take this opportunity to get better prepared?

World Restart a Heart Day is an opportunity to talk about CPR and raise awareness among those around us. But it can also serve as a reminder to review certain habits.

At work, for example, you could take a few minutes to show your colleagues where the defibrillator is, check that access to it is clear, and ensure the equipment is in good condition.

It is also a good opportunity to offer CPR training to employees or refresh the knowledge of those who have already been trained.

And if your organization has several AEDs, why not review their inspection and maintenance schedule?

Need to have your defibrillators checked?

At Cardio Choc, we assist companies and organizations with the inspection and maintenance of their defibrillators and first aid kits.

Our team can come to your facilities, throughout Quebec and the Ottawa region, to check your equipment and help you maintain its proper working order.

Discover our inspection and maintenance service for AEDs and first aid kits.

What if it happened tomorrow?

No one wishes they had to perform CPR or use a defibrillator. But when a cardiac arrest occurs, the first few minutes are critical.

Knowing how to recognize the signs, call for help, start chest compressions, and use an AED are skills within everyone's reach.

On October 16, take a few minutes to talk about it with your colleagues or loved ones. Locate the defibrillator closest to you. And if you have never learned CPR, look into available training.

These are simple actions that we hope to never have to take. But which could one day save someone's life.