Each year, more than 356,000 cardiac arrests happen in places other than medical facilities. What will you do if a colleague has a cardiac arrest in your workplace?

A cardiac arrest is when someone’s heart stops beating correctly and can be life-threatening. To provide care, think about purchasing portable defibrillators, or AEDs.

These are effective devices that can be used easily to restore a heartbeat in an emergency. Ideally, every school, workplace, office, or work site should have one.

If you’re thinking of buying a portable defibrillator, here’s what you need to know first.

Organize a Staff Training Session

Defibrillators are designed to be easy to use, even without any formal training. However, seeing someone go into cardiac arrest can be a stressful and scary situation, so to help your staff, consider scheduling a training session.

Working with a medical expert, staff can learn how, when, and why to use defibrillator equipment. This will empower them to feel more confident if they ever need to use it.

Keep in mind that training should be held on a regular basis, to keep skills fresh and to train new staff members. In addition to training, it helps to print out large instructions and mount them to the wall next to the device.

Keep Your Portable Defibrillator in a Convenient Space

A portable cardiac defibrillator is designed to be quickly used in the case of an emergency. This means you don’t want to keep your device behind a locked case or in a hard-to-access area.

Keep it securely fastened to the wall—you can find more snap mounts here, but place it in a convenient area, like in the kitchen or a common area. Don’t mount it too high, as you want wheelchair users to be able to reach it as well.

Know-How Much to Budget for Your Purchase

Your defibrillator can cost anywhere from around $1,000-$5,000, depending on its size and energy levels. You’ll also have to put aside a small budget for maintenance, including batteries, extra pads for the machine, and training courses.

Include the Defibrillator in Your Work Health and Safety Plan

An AED is a vital part of any workplace health and safety plan, so include your device in your guidelines.

For example, staff should know when to use it, with a series of steps to follow. You’ll also want to have a reporting system in place to document any workplace injuries.

Improve Your Understanding of Portable Defibrillators With This Guide

It’s no secret that every workplace or business needs portable defibrillators, so use the tips above to find the right device for your needs.

Often, it can save time to ask another staff member to call 911 while another person gets the AED going, as you want to respond as fast as you can in emergencies. With action and training, you can literally save a life, so don’t delay.

Was this article helpful? If so, please keep reading to find more informative content.