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Earlier this week, one of my colleagues collapsed with a massive cardiac arrest (heart attack) at work. Co-workers immediately called 911 and several with First Aid training began administering CPR, chest compressions and an automated external defibrillator (AED) while waiting for the ambulance to arrive.

The good news: he has been brought back to life. He is being kept under observation in the hospital for the rest of the week, but is expected to make a full recovery.

The medical staff tell us that early intervention by his co-workers saved his life. Furthermore, it probably prevented life-long debilitation and hastened his recovery.

Although middle-aged, my colleague is not overweight. In fact he is trim and in excellent shape. In other words, a heart attack can happen to anyone of any age.

Our company recently acquired two defibrillators. We have a robust safety program and encourage and support First Aid training. Without a doubt, this saved a man’s life.

Does your company or organization have a defibrillator? If not, why not? At about $2,000 each, they are not expensive when you consider what a life is worth. There should be one on every floor of a multi-story building.

AED’s are small, light, portable, easy to use and require a minimum of training. It evaluates heart rhythm and if it determines that a shock is required, it issues simple voice-command instructions. In other words, it will do no harm.

One of the most important and little-understood concepts we are faced with is demographics. One of the largest segments of our society are the aging Baby-boomers who will challenge the medical industry with their failing health. It’s been said that a significant amount of health-care cost is spent during the last few years of life.

First Aid training and an AED defibrillator can go a long way to prevent unnecessary death and avoid costly life-long debilitation.

Push your company or organization to invest in First Aid training and an AED defibrillator. Show them this article.

Remember, the life you save may be your own.

Gerold
February 6, 2014

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