FAST TALK: Sudden Cardiac Arrest

FAST TALK: Sudden Cardiac ArrestSudden Cardiac Arrest and AEDs – When Seconds Count. FAST FACTS 366,807 Deaths from Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) per year in the U.S. 1 10,000 Cardiac arrests in the workplace annually 3 95% of SCA victims don’t survive 1 What is the Difference Between SCA & Heart Attack? Sudden Cardiac Arrest What is a Sudden Cardiac Arrest? • A sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is an “electrical” problem. • SCA occurs when the heart malfunctions and stops beating unexpectedly. • Triggered by an electrical malfunction in the heart that causes an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). • With its pumping action disrupted, the heart cannot pump blood to the brain, lungs and other organs. What Happens? A person becomes unresponsive, is not breathing or is only gasping, experiencing seizure-like symptoms. Death occurs within minutes if the victim does not receive treatment. What to do: Cardiac arrest can be reversible in some victims if it’s treated within a few minutes. • First, call 9-1-1 (If two people are available to help, one should begin CPR immediately while the other calls 9-1-1 and finds an AED). • If an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is available, use it as soon as possible. Heart Attack What is a Heart Attack? • A Heart Attack is a “circulation” problem. • Occurs when the blood to the heart is blocked. • The heart usually does not stop beating. • If the blocked artery is not reopened quickly, the part of the heart normally nourished by that artery begins to die. What Happens? A person may experience intense discomfort in the chest, shortness of breath, cold sweats, and/or nausea/vomiting. Some symptoms start slowly and persist for hours, days or weeks before heart attack occurs. What to do: • Call 9-1-1 or your emergency response number immediately. Did you know . Only 50% of people can locate an automated external defibrillator (AED) at work? 5 The Importance of AED’s in the Workplace • Sudden cardiac arrest is a workplace killer; 13% of all workplace fatalities result from SCA. 4 • Response time is critical. Brain death begins within 4-6 minutes of the SCA event. 4 • The average time to respond to a 911 call in an urban area is 10 minutes.4 (Expect longer response times if your workplace is in a remote/rural area). • If a rescuer can provide defibrillation in the first minute, the victim’s chance of survival increases to more than 90%. • Each minute that passes will decrease the victim’s chance of survival by 7-10% if no defibrillation is provided. • AHA recommends placing an AED at three-minute “drop to shock” intervals throughout the facility.4 (i.e. should take a person no longer than 3 minutes round-trip to get to the AED and back to the victim). SAFETY FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT CONTACT: SAFETYQUESTIONS@FASTENAL.COM OR 1-833-FNL-SAFE WF_687750 | JF 6/23 6.2023 | ADPage 2