Page 88 - OHS, October 2021

DEFIBRILLATOR & CPR
Creating and Implementing an AED Program in the Workplace
ThThe chances of survival increase dramatically when a workplace is trained in both CPR and the use of an AED.
BY SYDNY SHEPARD
There are many injuries and illnesses that can occur on the job if adequate safety precautions, policies and procedures are not put in place. While many of the articles in this magazine will highlight hazards that result in injuries to extremities, respiratory systems or vision, there are still some health issues that can arise at work that might not be entirely job- related, for example: sudden cardiac arrest.
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What is a sudden cardiac arrest? Well, it is easy to get this confused with a heart attack, which is when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked, but it is different. Sudden cardiac arrest is the abrupt loss of heart function, breathing and consciousness, according to Mayo Clinic. The condition usually results from a problem with your heart’s electrical system, which can disrupt your heart’s pumping action and stops blood flow to your body.1
84 Occupational Health & Safety | OCTOBER 2021
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