What benefits will a defibrillator have to your business?

What benefits will a defibrillator have to your business?

A defibrillator might not seem like essential office equipment. But in an emergency, they could be the difference between life and death. Due to the growing awareness of the danger of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), more and more defibrillators are readily available.

SCA can strike at any time, regardless of age or fitness level. More often than not, they’re lethal. Businesses are starting to recognise the risks and installing defibrillators. Sadly, not fast enough – in one study, only 50% of 1,000 UK businesses had a defibrillator available on their premises. Many businesses still don’t understand the severity of SCA and the benefits of having an on-site defibrillator.

What is a defibrillator?

A defibrillator, or AED, is a small, lightweight machine designed to allow practically anyone to operate it. It works by analysing a person’s heart rate to see whether they have the irregular rhythm typical of SCA. If it detects this rhythm, it will deliver a shock to the patient and restore their heart to its natural state.

The machine gives clear and concise instructions. Training is unnecessary but can help build staff confidence when using one in an emergency. For anyone worried about whether a person has suffered from SCA, an AED can’t shock a person without an irregular heart rhythm. Rest assured, they’re safe and easy to operate.

What are the benefits of a defibrillator?

SCA is the leading killer in the UK, causing around 100,000 deaths every year. There are no advanced warnings and without effective treatment, SCA is lethal. It’s crucial to act fast in the event of an SCA. Every minute that passes without the use of a defibrillator will decrease a victim’s chance of survival. Often by the time emergency services have arrived, it’s too late.

With early treatment from an AED, the chances of survival for a member of staff or customer suffering an SCA will dramatically increase.

Installing a defibrillator in your workplace sends a clear message to your employees. It shows that you’re going above and beyond what is required to protect your staff in an emergency. It isn’t a legal requirement to have an AED on-site. But with increasing public awareness around SCA, pressure on companies across the UK is growing.

Employers should take the time to consider the tragic effects of losing a member of staff or customer to something preventable. Staff morale shatters, productivity drops and there is a risk of negative publicity.

The benefits of installing a defibrillator are clear. They save lives and promote a level of trust between customers or employees and companies. Failing to install a defibrillator could result in a preventable tragedy, which can have a terrible knock-on effect on your business.

At Defib365, we want to make it as easy as possible for businesses to get a defibrillator into their office. We offer defibrillators from as little as £1 per day and effective first aid training, meaning in the unfortunate event of an SCA at work, you’ll have the tools you need to save a life. All you need to do is call us on 0333 050 6649.