According to the American Heart Association (AHA) early CPR and defibrillation plus early advanced care within 3-5 minutes after collapse can result in a greater than 50% long-term survival rate. The value of early CPR by co-workers is important as it will “buy time” for the patient by circulating oxygenated blood until an AED can be put into place and activated.
“Defibrillation is a procedure to stop the type of irregular heart beat called ventricular fibrillation, usually by using electric shock.”
Did you know that according to the AHA:
- The first out of hospital defibrillation device weighed in at 110 pounds! Most units in use today now weigh less than 8 pounds.
- Security guards in Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway airports and security guards in Las Vegas casinos have achieved a 50-74% survival rate for adults with sudden, witnessed cardiac arrest. These programs are thought to be successful because rescuers are trained to respond efficiently and all survivors receive immediate bystander CPR plus defibrillation within 3-5 minutes.
Case Study:
In January 2010 we helped a client in Clackamas, OR purchased three new Phillips HeartStart AED’s through Medic First Aid International to compliment the two AED’s they currently had in service to become compliant with Oregon’s Senate Bill 556.
The new Oregon law as it applies to this client states that any facility with greater than 50,000 sq. ft. and where business activities are conducted and where 25 individuals will congregate on a normal business day, then they must have at least one automated external defibrillator on site. Not only do they comply with the new law but they go above and beyond by having five (5) AED’s on site, coupled with a new training program that will include 1st Aid/CPR & AED training on-site by the Proof Positive Health & Safety Coordinator.
