Workplace defibrillators saves lives

HEALTH AND safety teams nurture workplaces where employees feel protected, valued and safe. But not all organisations are prepared when a cardiac arrest occurs, leaving the lives of staff, customers, and visitors at risk.

Research from St John Ambulance finds that one in four (25%) UK adults have experienced a cardiac arrest incident in some way – whether as a first aider, bystander, or even as the patient themselves. With over one in seven (15%) of these incidents happening at work, health and safety professionals have a crucial role in ensuring staff are prepared and equipped to act.

When someone’s heart stops and they are unresponsive and not breathing, time is critical. According to the British Heart Foundation, for every minute without CPR and defibrillation, the chance of survival falls by up to 10%. However, the prompt use of a defibrillator – a device that delivers an electrical shock to restart the heart – can increase survival rates to as much as 70%.

However, despite their life-saving potential, many workplaces still lack defibrillators – even though employers are responsible for protecting staff who fall ill or are injured. 

 A life-saving investment

During a medical emergency, people act based on what is available and what they feel confident using. For cardiac arrest, having a defibrillator that is visible, accessible, and rescue-ready – and ensuring employees feel confident using it – enables someone to step in immediately.

Building on over 150 years of trusted first aid expertise, St John Ambulance’s HEART defibrillators are one of the easiest defibrillators to use. The compact and lightweight HEART One and Two defibrillators can be used wherever an emergency occurs, as well as being robust and reliable to keep colleagues safe when it matters most. 

Both defibrillators provide step-by-step voice instructions for those first on the scene. The HEART Two even includes three preset language choices with others available on request, as well as animated illustrations and text prompts, making it even easier for employees to have the confidence to intervene in an emergency and save a life.

Although HEART defibrillators are designed to be used without training, some people understandably feel nervous. St John Ambulance’s workplace training – available either as a stand-alone or as part of an essential first aid course – can help employees feel confident in using these life-saving devices.

Protecting lives and supporting communities

All profits from St John Ambulance’s HEART defibrillator sales go back into supporting the charity’s life-saving work, helping to fund the training and equipment volunteers need to keep communities safe. 

At the same time, when a life is saved with a HEART defibrillator, the manufacturer will donate a new defibrillator to the local community and replace the used pads – turning one life saved into many more protected. 

Empowering people to act 

As professionals entrusted with creating safer workplaces, installing defibrillators and ensuring people know how to use them is one of the most impactful ways to protect lives. By installing a HEART defibrillator from St John Ambulance, health and safety professionals are not only safeguarding their workforce, they’re helping to save more lives across the nation.

Claire Vaughan is director of people and culture at St John Ambulance. For more information, visit www.sja.org.uk/heart-hsm