Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Sudden Cardiac Arrest is the leading cause of sudden death in Australia, ahead of prostate cancer, bowel cancer, breast cancer and road deaths. Over 30,000 people die from Sudden Cardiac Arrest every single year and 75% of these occur outside of the hospital setting. A significant proportion of these fatalities occur in the workplace. Sudden Cardiac Arrest can happen to anyone - anywhere.
So, what do you need to know?
What is an AED?
An Automated Electrical Defibrillator (AED) sends a measured electric shock (defibrillation) through a person’s heart. When electrical activity resumes, the aim is for the heart to return back to the usual coordinated fashion and effective pumping can occur. An AED will not administer a shock to a person’s heart if it is not needed.
What are the signs of cardiac arrest?
A person in cardiac arrest will fall unconscious and will not be breathing normally. This is because blood is not being pumped through the heart to the brain, lungs or other organs. This is different from a heart attack. A person having a heart attack will usually be conscious and report symptoms such as the feeling of pain or heavy pressure in their chest or arms, that may spread to their neck, jaw or back. They may also feel a cold sweat and/or nausea. A heart attack can progress into a cardiac arrest.
Seven Simple Tips Everybody Should Know:
- It is recommended AED’s are located WITHIN 3 MINUTES of a patient. If you cannot get to an AED from your location at work, you could be at serious risk.
- Many Australian work sites DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH AED’s IN REACH OF STAFF – especially those on vast work sites.
- If you are experiencing sudden cardiac arrest and you receive a shock from an AED within 3 minutes your SURVIVAL RATE INCREASES TO 75%.
- After that, your survival rate DECREASES BY 10% EACH MINUTE. After 4 minutes, you have a 60% survival rate. After 8 minutes, you have a 20% survival rate.
- Most AED’s are portable and CAN BE PLACED IN VEHICLES. Check the manufacturer details.
- AED’s ARE EXTREMELY EASY TO USE. WorkSafe Victoria states that anyone with access to an AED can safely step in to handle a cardiac arrest crisis.
- The average ambulance response time in Australia is between 8-12 minutes. If you call an ambulance the moment somebody experiences sudden cardiac arrest, they will have, on average, a 0-20% of survival without other assistance.
Who can use an AED?
Anybody. Current AEDs have clear voice prompts and pictures to ensure any person, no matter their qualifications, can use them. If you can follow a GPS, you can use an AED. They even give instructions on CPR. They are designed to save lives, no matter the situation.
What if I'm not sure?
An AED, according to WorkSafe Victoria, will not administer a shock to a person’s heart if it is not needed. If the person is conscious, they do not need an AED, and if they are unconscious but still breathing normally, they do not need an AED. It is advised you contact emergency services and follow their guidance on the matter. If they are suffering cardiac arrest, you cannot hurt them more than the cardiac arrest will. Very few people can survive a cardiac arrest without assistance. It is imperative a workplace has sufficient AEDs on hand.
