Why Should You Encourage Your Workplace to Offer CPR Training?

More than 350,000 Americans suffer from cardiac arrest each year. Approximately 10,000 of these sudden cardiac arrests occur in the workplace (OSHA). OSHA also reports that waiting passively for emergency medical personnel to arrive — without performing bystander CPR — results in only a 5-7% survival. Other studies show that immediate defibrillation can lead to up to 60% survival rate one year after a sudden cardiac arrest.

Despite these incredible statistics, recent data indicates that most employees are unprepared to handle cardiac emergencies. A survey about cardiac emergency preparedness conducted by the American Heart Association discovered that most workers do not have access to CPR and first aid training and that fully half of them were unable to locate an onsite AED! 

Understanding the Difference Between Sudden Cardiac Arrest and a Heart Attack is Vital

As you consider the importance of offering CPR and AED certification in your workplace or organization, ask yourself if you really understand the difference between a heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). 

Don’t feel bad if you can’t articulate it! People often use the terms cardiac arrest and heart attack interchangeably, but they are not the same thing! Employers who offer CPR training, however, are investing in the health and wellbeing of their employees. CPR classes not only educate, they promote confidence. 

In case you’re curious: a heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked so oxygenated blood can’t reach vital organs. Although symptoms may be sudden and severe, more often than not, the symptoms of a heart attack start slowly and usually last for hours, days, or even weeks before a heart attack.

SCA, on the other hand, happens when the heart suddenly stops beating. And it often occurs without warning. SCA can strike at any age and at any time. Unlike those who are experiencing a heart attack, victims of sudden cardiac arrest are not conscious and their hearts are not beating. 

Either way, witnessing a heart attack or SCA is traumatic. CPR and AED certification in the workplace enables your employees to identify and respond effectively to these common cardiac emergencies. 

Having CPR & AED Trained Employees Saves Lives

In the event of sudden cardiac arrest in the workplace, having an AED on-site, and CPR and AED-certified employees may mean the difference between life and death. It’s worth noting that more than 90% of the employees who participated in the two American Heart Association surveys said they would take employer-sponsored CPR and first aid training courses. Improve safety by boosting your employees’ confidence. 

So, enroll your team in CPR, First Aid, and AED courses today! Or, if you’d like your employer to offer CPR and AED training, download our free flyer!

At Cardio Partners, it’s our goal to help ensure that organizations and individuals are well-prepared and ready to act in the event of a cardiac or medical emergency in the workplace. Call Cardio Partners at 800-544-0004 or send an email to customerservice@cardiopartners.com — we’re ready to help!. Cardio Partners offers both traditional and blended learning through the American Red Cross and that American Heart Association. 

DISCLAIMER: The information included in this post and on our website is not intended as legal advice. As legislation changes often, this post may inadvertently contain inaccurate or incomplete information. We urge you to contact your state representative should you require more information about current AED, CPR, and Good Samaritan laws in your state.