Workplace Cardiac Arrests

By law, every workplace in the UK must have a fire extinguisher; however, a defibrillator is not a legal requirement.

Every year in the UK, there are over 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, 15% of which occur in the workplace. Despite this statistic, employers have no legal requirements to supply lifesaving defibrillators.

What Is Sudden Cardiac Arrest?

Sudden cardiac arrest is the sudden and unexpected loss of all effective heart activity. It is caused by an electrical malfunction in the heart which disrupts its normal rhythm and prevents it from pumping blood effectively. As a result, the heart’s ability to circulate blood throughout the body is compromised, leading to an immediate and severe impact on the individual’s health.

When cardiac arrest occurs, the heart either stops beating or begins to quiver erratically (a condition known as ventricular fibrillation). This abrupt cessation of effective cardiac function causes the affected person to lose consciousness almost instantly, as the brain and other vital organs are deprived of oxygen, without prompt intervention, the lack of blood flow can lead to irreversible brain damage and death within minutes.

What Industries Are Most at Risk?

A study in Oregon found that individuals working in industries involving strenuous physical activities, working at heights, or handling heavy machinery face a higher risk of cardiac arrest. However, even the seemingly safe environment of office work is not immune, as stress, high-pressure deadlines, and sedentary lifestyles are known to contribute to heart complications.

An article published in the Observer also highlighted that other jobs presenting a heightened risk of cardiac arrest include community and social services, architecture and engineering, personal care, education, and management roles. This underscores the reality that cardiac arrest can occur at any time to anyone, reinforcing the critical importance of always being prepared.

The Importance of Workplace Defibrillators

In the UK, the survival rate for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is alarmingly low, with fewer than 1 in 10 people surviving to hospital discharge. Rapid intervention is crucial to improving these outcomes. Administering defibrillation within the first 3-5 minutes after a person collapses can significantly enhance survival rates, potentially increasing them to between 50% and 70%.

However, for every minute that defibrillation is delayed, the probability of survival decreases by 10%. However, despite this stark statistic highlighting the critical importance of accessibility to a defibrillator, only 44% of workplaces have a defibrillator.

What Defibrillator Is Best For My Workplace?

The Cardiac Science Powerheart G5

The Powerheart Cardiac Science G5 Defibrillator stands out as a state-of-the-art lifesaving device, designed with the user in mind. It’s not only robust, backed by an 8-year warranty, but also boasts an IP55 rating for dust and water resistance, and can withstand a drop from 1.2 meters, ensuring durability in various environments. The defibrillator is equipped with non-polarized adult pads that simplify the rescue process, as they can be placed in either position on the chest, reducing the critical time to administer aid. With its comprehensive self-testing capabilities, the device ensures it is always ready for use, conducting regular checks on pads, battery, and internal circuitry. The dual-language function allows for instructions in two languages, facilitating use in diverse settings. The Powerheart G5 is not only a reliable piece of equipment for any workplace but also a smart investment in safety and preparedness.

Cardiac Science Powerheart G5 AED Fully Automatic Defibrillator

£950 excl VAT

The iPAD NFK200

The iPAD NFK200 offers a user-friendly interface, designed for both the layperson and experienced rescuers that simplifies the process of providing life-saving defibrillation with illuminated images and calm voice prompts, this ensures that even those with minimal training can provide effective emergency care. The device also uses child/adult pads to ensure efficiency if the device needs to be used on a child. The unit’s design prioritises ease of use, with pad access conveniently located on the front panel for quick retrieval. The iPAD NFK200 also assists with CPR, providing a built-in metronome and verbal prompts to help the rescuer maintain the correct pace and depth of chest compressions.

iPAD NFK200 Semi Automatic Defibrillator

£695 excl VAT

The Importance of CPR

For every minute without bystander intervention, the chance of survival for a victim of cardiac arrest drops by 10%, however, with high-quality CPR, the chance of survival only decreases by 3% to 4% per minute.

High-quality CPR is performed with the primary goal of maintaining a flow of oxygenated blood throughout the body, which is essential to sustain life during cardiac arrest. This procedure helps to delay tissue death and extend the window of opportunity for successful resuscitation. Effective CPR ensures that vital organs, particularly the brain and heart continue to receive the necessary oxygen and nutrients, thereby preserving their function until normal heart rhythm can be restored, either through advanced medical interventions or the use of a defibrillator.

Despite the importance of CPR, 43% of UK adults (nearly 23 million people) have never learnt this lifesaving skill.

Through RevivR you can learn CPR for free in just 15 minutes, or you can book a hands-on training session, where you can also learn to use an AED with Dovetail Group.

Defibrillators we stock are in our shop, also you can email or call us sales@defib4life.co.uk – 01629710128 and find us on social media, on Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn.