Frequently Asked Questions

These statements are fair generalizations supported by International Heart Associations:
Early CPR and defibrillation within the first 3 to 5 minutes after collapse, plus early advanced care can result in high (greater than 50 percent) long-term survival rates for witnessed ventricular fibrillation.

The value of early CPR by bystanders is that it can “buy time” by maintaining some blood flow to the heart and brain during cardiac arrest. Early bystander CPR is less helpful if EMS personnel equipped with a defibrillator arrive later than 8 to 12 minutes after the collapse.

We can make any setting work properly and we can fill in any gaps or equipment needs. However, the ideal set-up would include the room set-up with chairs formed in ‘U’ facing the front with open floor space in the middle. There would be a chair and a small table for the instructor. If there is AV equipment available, setting up a projector and screen in advance can be helpful. A CD/DVD player/TV can help facilitate the use of further supplemental training materials. The training is dynamic so participants should be told to dress comfortably and bring water to drink, along with a pen and some paper. If the floor is a hard surface, like wood or tile, providing towels or mats for the participants to work on is advisable.

Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD)

Sudden Cardiac Death from coronary heart disease occurs roughly 1000 times per day in North America. The risk in adults is estimated to be about 1 per 1,000 adults 35 years of age and older per year.

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)
AEDs are computerized devices that are now about the size of a laptop computer. They can be used by healthcare providers (such as Emergency Medical Response providers) and by lay rescuers. They are attached to victims who are thought to be in cardiac arrest, and they provide voice and visual prompts to lead rescuers through the steps of operation. AEDs analyze the victim’s heart rhythm, determine if a defibrillation shock is needed, then prompt the rescuer to “clear” the victim and deliver a shock.

Lay rescuer AED programs (also known as Public Access Defibrillation or PAD programs) train lay rescuers such as security guards, police and firefighters in CPR and use of an AED and equip the rescuers with automated external defibrillators.
The first out-of-hospital defibrillation device weighed 110 pounds; today they weigh less than 8 pounds.
They are now becoming expected available medical equipment. Four Chambers Safety Specialists see AEDs as the ‘fire extinguisher of the future’. We anticipate all businesses and homes will be equipped with an AED in the near future.

Increased survival with CPR and AEDs is evident.
In cities such as Seattle, Washington, where CPR training is widespread and EMS response and time to defibrillation is short, the survival rate for witnessed VF cardiac arrest is about 30 percent.
In cities such as New York City, where few victims receive bystander CPR and time to EMS response and defibrillation is longer. Survival from sudden VF cardiac arrest averages 1 to 2 percent.

Some recent studies have documented the positive effect of lay rescuer AED programs in the community. These programs all ensure adequate training, and a planned response to ensure early recognition of cardiac arrest and EMS call, immediate bystander CPR, early defibrillation and early advanced care. Lay rescuer AED programs that consist of police in Rochester, Minn., security guards in Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway airports, and security guards in Las Vegas casinos have achieved 5 percent survival for adults with sudden, witnessed, VF cardiac arrest. These programs are thought to be successful because rescuers are trained to respond efficiently and all survivors receive immediate bystander CPR plus defibrillation within 3 to 5 minutes.

There are about 40,000 cardiac arrests in Canada every year. They occur about once every 12 minutes, according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Less than five percent of victims who suffer an attack outside a hospital survive and the vast majority (70 percent) of cardiac arrests occur outside a hospital.

Defibrillation is more successful if performed within five minutes of cardiac arrest and the chances of survival decrease up to 10 percent for every minute that passes after the arrest.

Your business must comply with The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board Regulations. Failure to do so could expose your organization to extreme liability. The WSIB oversees Ontario’s workplace safety education and training system, including First Aid, provides disability benefits, monitors the quality of health care, and assists in early and safe return to work of employees.

In addition to many other requirements, the WSIB requires Emergency First Aid for companies with 1-5 employees. At least one employee, who is certified, should be on duty and easily accessible at all times. Similarly, Standard First Aid is required by the WSIB for companies with more than 5 employees. At least one employee, who is certified, should be on duty and easily accessible at all times. If your workplace has multiple areas or floors, you need to have several people trained.