Is your organization ready to respond when the unthinkable occurs? An Emergency Response Plan that includes a Medical First Aid Response Team is a key component of being prepared. The recent incident involving the young football player suffering a cardiac arrest highlights this importance.
Within moments of his cardiac arrest, CPR and medical personnel were called in to restart his heart. That rapid response is credited with dramatically improving his chance of survival and recovery. Another key element was that not only were trained personnel and proper equipment available, but the staff also held routine emergency medical drills at stadiums before each game – each game – to be prepared for the unthinkable.
We emphasize that drills and review sessions are key elements to ensure that all involved are confident, skilled, and knowledgeable of their roles and responsibilities. The team members also learn group dynamics and collaboration skills, plus cultivate a relationship with other team members.
Statistically, every year for the more than 350,000 Americans who suffer cardiac arrest outside of a hospital, the prognosis is not always an optimistic one. Most studies indicate that less than 10% of these individuals survive. The statistics indicate much better individual outcomes for those who receive rapid and appropriate care before they reach a hospital.
Unfortunately, the numbers of trained people remain low. A recent survey by the Cleveland Clinic found that slightly more than half of Americans reported that they knew how to perform CPR, yet only about 11% knew the correct pacing for performing chest compressions. Please remember that rapid defibrillation is important for survival. CPR is an effective bridge until defibrillation is available. And training is just one piece of the puzzle. Skill development and practice are other pieces of the puzzle.
What can you do to Be Bold, Be Responsible, and Be Prepared?
- Offer CPR/AED/First Aid classes at your facility. The more individuals who are trained, the more lives will be saved.
- Establish a volunteer team as part of your emergency response plan.
- Ensure that your team has the skills and tools to respond in an effective manor
- Maintain well stocked supplies including AEDs
Please contact Dimensions for more information on training and Team development.