News

Is your team ready to respond to a medical emergency at any time?

Did you know that it only takes five minutes without first aid (CPR) during a cardiorespiratory emergency to cause brain damage and only eight minutes without compressions to significantly increase the risk of death? (Manuel Merck) Twelve minutes after a cardiac arrest, the survival rate of victims is between 2% and 5% (Statistique en soins d’urgence cardiovasculaire et RCR).

Less than half of Canadians report being knowledgeable and skilled in rescuing a victim of such an emergency (Canadian Red Cross). Gestion ParaMédical, a Trak Group company, recommends basic first aid (CPR) training as a priority and even a requirement for every team. Having a person trained in first aid measures on site at all times is essential to ensure the safety of the members of an organization (CNESST) and prevent the escalation of a medical emergency.

Anyone can be a victim

Contrary to popular belief, anyone can experience a cardiac medical emergency. Age and gender are no longer the main factors of coronary heart disease or a heart failure episode. Coronary artery disease is the most common form of heart disease and occurs when the coronary arteries become narrowed or blocked (Heart and Stroke Foundation). As outlined by the Heart and Stroke Foundation, many conditions and lifestyle habits can trigger cardiopulmonary arrest, including:

  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes
  • High cholesterol levels
  • Poor nutrition
  • Chronic depression
  • Smoking
  • And many others

Additionally, the chance of having a heart attack at a younger age increases because of the high rate of depression, anxiety and stress we are exposed to daily. For women, the use of birth control can also increase the chances of having a heart attack (University of Ottawa Heart Institute & National Library of Medecine). Therefore, members of your team must be adequately trained in first aid to be able to administer the necessary care.

Knowing what to do to slow down the death clock

When a person goes into cardiac arrest, they stop breathing, which stops the flow of oxygen to their brain. This medical emergency can quickly become risky and challenging for health professionals to resolve. CPR must be performed as soon as possible to give the victim the best chance of surviving and remaining injury-free. The faster the rescuer starts CPR, especially chest compressions, the better the chances are that the brain and vital organs will get enough oxygen to keep the person alive until an automatic external defibrillator (AED) is used or more advanced medical care can be provided (Manuel Merck).

Using an AED significantly contributes to a victim’s survival as it can detect and correct a heart rhythm abnormality called ventricular fibrillation (Manuel Merck). Indeed, the survival rate of victims decreases by 7% to 10% each passing minute between the time of cardiac arrest and the time defibrillation is applied (Statistique en soins d’urgence cardiovasculaire et RCR).

Advice and recommendations

Everyone must be informed and aware of basic lifesaving CPR procedures. At the workplace, employers must provide a safe environment with appropriate risk management for their staff considering that a medical emergency can occur at any time.

Although health and safety measures may be mandatory and regulated, Gestion ParaMédical’s trainings are dynamic and stimulating, making it an enjoyable experience for everyone! The training sessions are flexible and provide the relevant information to your staff in order to make your workplace safer. Communicate with our specialists and learn more about the training and preventive measures you need to implement within your company. Contact the team at Gestion ParaMédical today !

 

Fill out the form below for more information about our training courses.






     

    [email protected] 23 Nov, 2022

    More

    Others News

    Newsletter

    Stay connected!

    1-877-619-0099
    toll free