Why First Aid Kits Aren’t Enough: Adding AEDs to Your Workplace Safety Arsenal
Workplace emergencies take many forms, but few are as urgent as sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Each year, over 10,000 SCAs occur on the job, according to OSHA. While first aid kits handle minor injuries, they can’t treat cardiac arrest. This article explores why first aid kits alone often aren’t enough and why Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are a crucial addition to any workplace safety plan.
Why AEDs Are a Must-Have for Workplace Safety
First aid kits are essential for handling everyday injuries like small cuts, bruises, or sprains. They’re great for treating non-life-threatening incidents, ensuring employees get the care they need before seeking further medical attention. However, when it comes to cardiac emergencies, first aid kits fall short.
SCA occurs when the heart unexpectedly stops beating, cutting off blood flow to vital organs. Without immediate treatment, death can occur in minutes. While CPR helps keep blood and oxygen flowing, it alone isn’t enough to restart a heart. Defibrillation, which delivers a shock to the heart through an AED, remains the only effective way to restore normal heart rhythm during SCA.
What Is an AED?
An AED is a portable device designed to treat cardiac arrest by delivering an electric shock to restart the heart. Unlike complex medical equipment, AEDs are specifically designed for use by non-medical personnel. With voice prompts, visual guides, and automatic assessments, they guide users through each step, ensuring the process is simple and effective.
The importance of having AEDs on-site is clear—workplaces equipped with them see significantly higher survival rates, with immediate defibrillation increasing survival chances by up to 75%. In short, AEDs fill a vital gap that first aid kits and CPR alone cannot. However, despite their life-saving potential, some businesses remain hesitant to adopt them. Let’s explore and address the most common concerns about implementing AEDs.
Addressing Concerns About AED Adoption
Even though AEDs have proven life-saving potential, some businesses worry about costs, liability, or maintenance. These are valid concerns, but the good news is they’re easier to solve than you might think.
Cost
It’s true that AEDs involve upfront costs for the devices and employee training. However, when weighed against the potential cost of losing an employee to cardiac arrest, or facing legal and liability issues for not having proper equipment, the investment becomes much more reasonable.
Liability
Some companies are hesitant to deploy AEDs because they mistakenly think that this increases legal exposure. That simply isn’t true; companies that deploy AEDs are much more likely to save a life (thus reducing liability), and they can qualify for powerful legal protections that all states provide to encourage companies to deploy AEDs.
Fear of Misuse
A common concern is that employees may be hesitant to use an AED, fearing they could cause more harm. Fortunately, AEDs are designed to prevent incorrect usage. They only deliver a shock when a shockable heart rhythm is detected, meaning there’s no risk of harming someone by using the device incorrectly.
Program Management Complexity
Managing AEDs involves more than just purchasing devices—you need to ensure they’re always ready to use. This includes routine maintenance, battery checks, and pad replacement. Fortunately, technology makes this easier. Solutions like FC Safety’s AED program management provide real-time tracking, automated maintenance reminders, and compliance reporting, taking the burden off safety managers.
Addressing these concerns helps businesses see the real value of AEDs, not just as a legal safeguard, but as a way to protect employees and build a safer workplace. So, how can you implement an effective AED program without the hassle? That’s where FC Safety can help.
How FC Safety Can Help
FC Safety provides everything your business needs to build a well-rounded AED program:
AED Devices: Choose from top brands like ZOLL, Philips, and HeartSine.
AED Program Management: Our platform tracks compliance, schedules inspections, and ensures your devices are always ready to use.
Training Services: We offer both virtual and on-site CPR, AED, and first aid training, certified by the American Red Cross.
First Aid & Safety Supplies: From fully stocked first aid kits to PPE and disaster preparedness kits, we help you cover all bases.
Don’t wait until an emergency strikes. Protect your employees and your business by adding AEDs to your safety program today. Contact FC Safety to learn how we can help you implement a life-saving AED solution tailored to your organization. Every second counts—act now!