Page 70 - OHS, June 2021

AED & CPR
Best Practices for Using AEDs and Performing CPR
Workers should learn CPR in case of emergencies.
WBY RAY CHISHTI
orkplace first-aid providers who quickly apply cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) skills can significantly increase chances of survival from
cardiac arrest. A worker may experience cardiac arrest due to personal medical conditions or workplace exposures like an electric shock.
Trained first-aid providers can deliver emergency medical care, and the outcome of occupational illnesses and injuries may depend upon prompt, adequately administered first aid.
CPR and AED Skills
Workplace first-aid responders who learn CPR and AED skills might never need them but should remain prepared. Numerous studies have shown a retention rate of six to 12 months of these critical skills.
OSHA references the American Heart Association’s
66 Occupational Health & Safety | JUNE 2021
www.ohsonline.com
Emergency Cardiovascular Care Committee, which encourages CPR and AED skills review and practice sessions every six months. Instructor-led retraining for life-threatening emergencies should occur at least annually. Retraining for a non-life-threatening response should occur periodically.
Doctors and medics use various interventions to restart the heart of a cardiac arrest victim, including IVs, breathing tubes and defibrillation. However, based on recent studies, none of those advanced techniques saves lives as well as CPR. In fact, the studies found that simple and sustained chest compressions dramatically increase survival rates.
Researchers encourage trained rescuers to focus on consistent chest compressions rather than trying to juggle compressions with mouth-to-mouth or other treatments. Compressions need to be applied to the center of the chest at a rate of about 100 a minute. Many repeated chest compressions are required to begin driving bloodthroughtheheartandcirculateoxygen.