FM CAREERS - TRAINING
LIFE SAVING TRAINING Providing defi brillators in workplaces and public places can save lives says Millie McDonagh of defi bshop,
which is why it’s important that people are trained to use them correctly
DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021 57
Millions of people live with heart
and circulatory diseases, with
around 7.4 million people living
with heart and circulatory disease
in the UK: 3.9 million men and 3.5
million women. When it comes to the
importance of defibrillators, the facts
speak for themselves: 90-95 per cent of
Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) casualties
will die if not treated immediately. This
is why defibrillators are used widely
across industries, saving thousands
of lives. Those working within FM
are o en responsible for equipping
both public spaces and workplaces
with defibrillators, so it’s important
not to overlook arranging e ective
defibrillator training to ensure sta are
confident in using them in a crisis.
WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF A SUDDEN
CARDIAC ARREST (SCA)
Sudden Cardiac Arrest can occur at
any time in any place, so it’s crucial to
be prepared. A University of Warwick
survey of 4,000 UK adults discovered
that nearly a third of UK adults are not
likely to perform CPR (Cardiopulmonary
resuscitation) if they witnessed cardiac
arrest. This statistic is significant because
for every minute treatment is delayed the
chance of survival drops by 10 per cent.
So, what can you do to ensure you
know what to do, when, and to ensure
that your facilities are heart-safe?
Defibrillator and CPR training is highly
recommended, it’s impact can save lives.
The first step is knowing the four things
to do if you witness a Sudden Cardiac
Arrest. The ‘Chain of Survival’ refers to the
four steps required to get a patient help
as quickly as possible to increase their
chances of survival.
THE CHAIN OF SURVIVAL
Early recognition
If the casualty is unresponsive, call
999 immediately requesting an
ambulance. The di erence between
life and death could be an immediate
call to emergency services.
E ective CPR
It’s important to begin CPR, whilst
requesting someone to locate and
collect the nearest defibrillator.
Performing CPR early can double the
patient’s chance of survival.
Defibrillation
Beginning defibrillation as soon as
possible could save a life. Once you
have a defibrillator, switch the device
on and follow its instructions.
Post-resuscitation care
Once an ambulance arrives,
paramedics will ensure any further
treatment is provided, and take the
patient to hospital.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN TRAINING
Before you begin your in-depth
defibrillator training, the five P’s of
defibrillation are a great place to start.
The five P’s provide knowledge of five
things to be aware of when using a
defibrillator, and they could make the
di erence to saving a life.
WHAT ARE THE FIVE P’S OF
DEFIBRILLATION?
Pacemaker
Pacemakers are small devices placed into
the chest or abdomen to control irregular
heart rhythms. When using a defibrillator,
it is important not to put the pads over
internal pacemakers. Always make sure
the pads are at least one inch away from
a pacemaker for safe use.
Piercings
It’s absolutely safe to use a defibrillator
on a casualty with body piercings,
although there are precautions to
be taken. Just like pacemakers, it’s
important to make sure the pads are
more than one inch away from any
body piercings. Defibrillator electrode
pads should never be placed over body
piercings.
Perspiration
Before starting defibrillation, any
perspiration on the casualty’s chest must
be wiped away. Perspiration hinders
pad placement and stops the electricity
from entering the patient’s body and
passing through the heart, and therefore
becomes ine ective.
Patches
A transdermal patch, which attaches
to the skin to deliver medication, can
include nicotine, pain medication,
hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and
more. For defibrillation, it is important
that any transdermal patches are
removed, and the area wiped before
treatment. Failure to do this can result in
skin burns.
Pendant
Any jewellery laying between the
electrode pads and the skin will stop
the electric shock passing through the
patient’s body. It is therefore crucial that
any pendants or other jewellery which is
within one inch of the pads is removed.
DEFIBRILLATOR TRAINING
PRACTICES
Who should do it?
Defibrillator training isn’t just for health
experts. Since cardiac arrest can happen
anywhere, ensuring you and your
team are trained to provide lifesaving
treatment is as important across the FM
sector as it is in healthcare.
It’s extremely important that those
working in a public place are equipped
to react if Sudden Cardiac Arrest happens
to a visitor or employee. So, what does
defibrillator training involve and how can
I do it?
What should a good course include?
A good defibrillator training course will
cover the administering of CPR and using
an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
You will learn about the importance of
defibrillation, the right time to use it, and
how to do so safely. You’ll finish your
course feeling confident about using an
AED, should you need to.
Defibrillator training courses vary in
length, but it’s normal to find four-hour
intensive courses that teach you about
using an AED and administering CPR for
cardiac arrest.
How can I access training?
Whether you are looking for a beginner or
a refresher course, training is available to
everyone and can equip your team with
crucial life-saving skills.
If you’re looking to become qualified
yourself, or for your whole organisation,
defibshop provides the highest standards
of training courses. As the largest
independent supplier of AEDs in the UK,
our team are experts on everything you
need to know to make your organisation
heart safe.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) can occur
anywhere, at any time. Equip your team
with the skills they need to save lives.