Footballer Daniel Wilkinson and Fabrice Muamba and more recently Ivorian footballer Cheick Tiote have all been struck down with Sudden Cardiac Arrest. Unfortunately, around three million people die from sudden cardiac arrest every year. The facts are clear:
• Only 5% to 10% of sudden cardiac arrest victims survive.
• CPR alone is unlikely to restart a sudden cardiac arrest victim’s heart.
• Brain damage can occur within only 4 minutes.
• 13% of workplace fatalities are from sudden cardiac arrest.
• 34% of those who have purchased an AED have used it at least once to save a life.
Why does it happen?
Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) occurs when the regular pattern of the heartbeat changes to a chaotic rhythm called ventricular fibrillation. In SCA victims, the heart cannot pump blood effectively and the victim will collapse. The only treatment for sudden cardiac arrest is to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
It won’t happen to me of course!
Sudden Cardiac Arrest can affect anyone, at anytime. Young or old, fit or unfit, healthy or unhealthy.
If an emergency occurs and a family member, work colleague or friend stops breathing, you need to react quickly, by calling 999, beginning CPR and using an AED.
With less than four minutes to restart a heart if a casualty is not breathing, shouldn’t you be prepared by knowing CPR and having a life-saving AED?
What is an AED?
We are starting to see them in airports, garages, big stores. An AED or Automated External Defibrillator is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses abnormal heart rhythms and is able to treat them by applying electrical therapy or shock.
Survival rates of sudden cardiac arrest victims have shown to increase more than 50% when effective CPR is given and automatic external defibrillators (AED’s) are readily available.
Standard features of an AED
• AEDs are designed for ANYONE to use 100% safely.
Clear, simple voice prompts tell you exactly what to do.
• AEDs have self-adhesive electrodes for attaching to a patient.
• AEDs typically contain replaceable battery packs lasting between two and five years.
Shocks are delivered to the patient by pressing a button when advised.
An AED in the workplace
AED’ are more affordable than ever. Keeping one conveniently located for staff access or public access is the only way to be prepared for emergencies.
FOUR MINUTES is an official distributor of HeartSine AEDs, offering the most durable, cost effective AEDs on the market.
FOUR MINUTES run weekly first aid training courses including how to use an AED and provide CPR. Book online at fourminutes.training.
Infant and Toddler two-Hour First Aid Course Caerphilly
Come and join FOUR MINUTES’ very popular short first aid course at Caerphilly library and learn how to recognise and attend to life threatening emergencies with infants and children for only £24.
You will also learn first aid skills that prepare you to render emergency care for common problems that are less serious. You will learn how to identify a child’s injuries and gather information to pass on to emergency medical personnel when they arrive.
For tickets visit http://fourminutes.training/events/infant-and-toddler-2-hour-first-aid-course-3/