Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are two critical tools that can save lives in the event of Cardiac arrest is a life-threatening condition in which the heart suddenly stops beating. Without immediate medical attention, death can occur within minutes. For every minute that passes without defibrillation, the chance of survival decreases by 7–10%. This means that early access to an AED is just as important as performing CPR.
CPR is used to manually pump blood and oxygen through the body, keeping the brain and other vital organs alive until professional help arrives. Chest compressions maintain circulation while rescue breaths (when included) provide oxygen.
AEDs, on the other hand, are portable devices designed to quickly analyze the heart’s rhythm and, if necessary, deliver a controlled shock to restore a normal rhythm. They are intentionally made easy to use, with clear visual and audio prompts, so that even untrained bystanders can operate them in an emergency.
Why Having an AED On Site Matters
Time is the most critical factor in cardiac arrest. Since survival drops 7–10% for every minute defibrillation is delayed, having an AED immediately accessible on site—whether in a workplace, school, sports facility, or construction site—can mean the difference between life and death. Public access AED programs and workplace AED requirements ensure that when cardiac arrest happens, help is only steps away rather than several minutes away.