by Tracy Panich, Regional Director of Preparedness and Health and Safety for the Mid Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross. From SBAM’s member-only Focus on Small Business magazine.
On average 500,000 Americans die of cardiac arrest each year. The American Red Cross warns that sudden cardiac arrest occurs most of the time with no prevailing symptoms or warning signs. Statistically, one out of every three American women dies as a result.
The American Red Cross is encouraging CPR training and public access to automated external defibrillators (AED). All businesses, with as little as two employees or more than 1,000 should be prepared for this type of emergency. Approximately 95 percent of sudden cardiac arrest incidents occur at work or outside the home.
Businesses Need to be Prepared.
Starting cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) right away can be beneficial; however, an automated external defibrillator is needed in some cases to return the heart to normal rhythm. The current survival rate for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is under seven percent, with CPR alone. If a shock from an AED is delivered in the first minute after a SCA, the survival rate increases even more; up to 86 percent. With widespread access to defibrillators, it is estimated that an additional 50,000 lives could be saved each year in the U.S.
According to a recent survey, one of the main reasons people fail to act in an emergency situation is because they are afraid of doing something wrong. Taking a class at the American Red Cross will help ease these fears and instill confidence. Find a class near your location by going to www.redcross.org.
AEDs are user friendly, light weight portable devices and require minimal maintenance. The American Red Cross:
- Has taught more than 15 million people how to respond to and prepare for emergencies that occur in their homes, schools, workplaces and communities.
- Has assisted in placing thousands of AEDs in public buildings nationwide. Some businesses are required to have AEDs available for public use according to state and federal law.
- Can facilitate the purchase of AEDs or answer questions about AEDs for your business. The American Red Cross makes training your staff easy with many options, your life, the life of a loved one, or coworker may depend on it. For more information visit our website at www.redcross.org.