Importance of AED Training Courses
Automated External Defibrillator courses are designed to help individuals make proper use of AED devices. Nowadays, many public organisations like schools, offices and airports have been introducing AEDs to their first-aid units to broaden the scope of medical attention for patients who might suffer from life-threatening arrhythmia or sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Both are very serious medical conditions that need to be attended to in a very short period of time in order for the patient to survive. The crucial marks of arrhythmia are low blood pressure and a fluctuating pulse rate. Other symptoms to look for are difficulty in breathing, cold hands and feet and nausea.
Who Should Attend AED Training Courses?
Automated External Defibrillators differ from the semi-automatic defibrillators existing in hospitals by virtue of being smaller, portable and specifically designed for ease of use. Rather than doctors and nurses, those who can benefit from AED training courses are thus:
- Workplace first aiders
- Police and fire units
- Members of the general public
Nowadays, most offices and public access places - stores, restaurants, airports, fitness and community centres, health clubs, theme parks and countless others - will have AEDs on site and will required the trained personnel necessary to operate them in emergency situations.
Format of AED Training Courses
AED training courses are made available to the general public at reduced prices, or even sometimes for free, by many non-profit health organisations working all over the United Kingdom. These are designed to be accessible to those without any prior first aid training, and often cover basic life support (BLS) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) alongside the use of AEDs.
Many training providers also offer more advanced AED training courses for those who already hold first aid skills and certifications. Alternatively, companies can choose to have in-house training programmes delivered by the training provider, which are often more affordable than a traditional classroom training course by virtue of the contents and schedules being arranged to suit the participants’ convenience.
Benefits of Pursuing an AED Training Course
Anybody with knowledge on the usage of an AED device will prove beneficial in a situation where a patient suffers arrhythmia or cardiac arrest and an AED device is at hand. The skills gained enables them to handle these situations with confidence and to provide the necessary aid (in the form of defibrillation) while waiting for the emergency services to arrive.
Professionals with AED certification are likely to be favoured for many jobs in public access places, as well as for any first-aid related roles in offices. Even professionals working outside of the HSE (Health, Safety and Environment) function can receive greater attention from employers if qualified in the use of AED machines.
AED devices, along with people with sound knowledge of their use, can greatly reduce the likelihood of death following a cardiac arrest.
First Response Training have been working with Dimensions since early 2007 to provide a wide range of health and safety and social care training courses to their staff.
Read more