Cardiac arrest can happen anywhere. Is your organization prepared?
A cardiac arrest can occur at work, in a sports center, a school, a business, or a public place. Often, without warning.
And when it happens, the first few minutes count tremendously.
On the occasion of World Heart Day, September 29, we wanted to get back to basics: understanding what cardiac arrest is, knowing what to do, and, above all, asking ourselves if our organization is truly prepared to intervene.
Because having an AED on-site is important. But knowing where it is, being able to access it quickly, and being ready to use it is just as important.
Cardiac arrest vs. heart attack: they are not the same thing
We often hear both terms used as if they meant the same thing. However, cardiac arrest and a heart attack are two different situations.
A heart attack occurs when a part of the heart no longer receives enough blood due to a blocked or severely obstructed artery. The heart usually continues to beat.
A cardiac arrest, meanwhile, occurs when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood effectively to the brain and other organs.
The simplest way to remember the difference?
A heart attack is primarily a circulation problem.
Cardiac arrest is primarily an electrical problem.
During a cardiac arrest, the person usually loses consciousness and no longer breathes normally. It is an emergency that requires immediate intervention.
A heart attack can lead to cardiac arrest, but the two terms are not interchangeable.
What to do if someone goes into cardiac arrest?
Imagine the scene: a colleague or client collapses in front of you. They are unresponsive. They are not breathing normally.
Would the people around you know what to do?
In this situation, you must act quickly:
- Call 911.
- Ask someone to go get the AED.
- Start CPR immediately.
- Use the AED as soon as it is available and follow its instructions.
CPR helps keep blood circulating to the brain and organs while waiting for emergency services to arrive.
The AED, for its part, analyzes the heart rhythm and automatically determines if a shock is necessary.
It is precisely for this reason that CPR and the AED go hand in hand.
Why use an AED quickly?
When a person is in cardiac arrest, time is precious.
The faster the intervention, the better the chance the person has of surviving.
CPR helps maintain some blood circulation, but when a heart rhythm that can be corrected by a shock is present, the AED becomes essential.
Its role is to analyze the heart's rhythm and, when necessary, deliver a shock to help the heart regain an effective rhythm.
And contrary to what some people may think, the AED does not automatically "shock" everyone. It first analyzes the situation and only delivers a shock when indicated.
Can you use an AED without training?
This is probably one of the questions we are asked most often.
The short answer: AEDs are designed to be simple to use.
They provide step-by-step voice and visual instructions. Once the device is opened, it guides the person present throughout the intervention.
That said, taking CPR and AED training remains highly recommended.
Why?
Because in a real-life situation, stress sets in quickly. A person who has already practiced the steps and knows what to expect will generally be more confident in intervening.
Training also allows teams to better understand who does what, where the AED is located, and how to react while emergency services are on the way.
Having an AED is good. Being able to use it quickly is better.
Many organizations already own a defibrillator.
But there is an even more important question to ask yourself:
If someone went into cardiac arrest today, how long would it take to find your AED and bring it to the person?
This is where location becomes truly important.
An AED installed in a locked room, hidden in a cabinet, or located at the other end of a large building can be much less useful than a clearly identified and easily accessible device.
The goal is therefore not only to be able to say:
“Yes, we have an AED.”
The real question is rather:
“Would we be able to use it quickly if someone collapsed right now?”
Where should you install an AED in your organization?
There is no perfect location for every environment.
A small business obviously does not have the same needs as a factory, a warehouse, a sports center, or an organization spread over several floors.
But some principles remain the same.
The AED should be:
- easy to see;
- clearly identified;
- quickly accessible;
- placed in a location known to employees;
- available when the building is occupied.
In large environments, you must also ask if a single device is actually sufficient.
If it takes several minutes to reach the AED, it may be relevant to review its location or the number of devices available.
Test your employees
Here is a very simple exercise.
Ask a few employees, without warning:
“Where is our AED?”
The answers might teach you a lot.
If some answer:
“I think it’s near the reception…”
or
“Do we have one?”
… your organization might already have the right equipment, but not yet the right level of preparation.
Awareness is an integral part of a good AED program.
Employees don’t all need to be experts, but they should at a minimum know that an AED is available and where it is located.
And your AED, is it ready to function?
There is also another aspect that we sometimes forget: maintenance.
An AED is not equipment that you install once and then never think about again.
Electrodes have an expiration date. Batteries have a limited lifespan. The device must also be checked regularly to ensure it is ready to function.
For an organization that owns several AEDs or several locations, tracking can quickly become more complex.
You must, in particular, know:
- where the devices are located;
- which models are installed;
- when the electrodes need to be replaced;
- when the batteries are reaching the end of their life;
- who is responsible for inspections.
An AED that has not been checked for years can give a false sense of security.
Being ready before the emergency occurs
No one wants to have to use an AED.
But if a cardiac arrest occurs, it is no longer the time to wonder where the device is, who should go get it, or how it works.
Preparation begins before the emergency.
A well-placed AED.
An inspected device.
Employees who know where to find it.
People trained in CPR.
These are simple actions, but they can make a real difference.
On the occasion of World Heart Day, just ask yourself this question:
If a cardiac arrest were to occur today in your organization, would you be ready to intervene?
Need help better preparing your environment?
Cardio Choc supports organizations in the selection, installation, inspection, and management of their AEDs.
Speak to one of our experts to assess your environment's needs and ensure your devices are accessible, functional, and ready to be used.