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Here at AED.US, we are committed to forging stronger links in the chain of survival. We talk constantly about the importance of empowering bystanders to initiate the rescue process. Now we’re going to make a case for why all employers should provide First Aid and CPR training to their employees. 

First, and most importantly, CPR is a lifesaving skill. According to the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 10,000 SCAs happen in the workplace every year. An additional study by the American Heart Association found that only 50% of working Americans know where an AED is inside their workplace. With numbers like that, and a survivability rate that hovers around 10%, the importance of training employees in CPR becomes clear: it could be the difference between life or death in the event of an emergency. 

Second, the skills that employees learn at an on-the-job CPR/First Aid training can be used anywhere. Sudden cardiac arrests and other medical emergencies can happen at any time, in any place. Training at work would promote education and safety in all facets of your employees’ lives. We know that within minutes of an SCA, the cessation of blood flow to vital organs can cause irreversible damage, so every second matters if we want to save more lives. Having knowledgeable and trained folks in our communities could decrease the response time and save more lives, and the workplace is an efficient way for American adults to receive this training. 

Since we’re talking about business, the third benefit of training your employees in CPR and First Aid is that it could reduce workplace accidents. This type of training covers everything from SCAs to burns, bites, strains, sprains, cuts, and allergic reactions. When employees learn about how to respond to all of these situations, they also become more cognizant of workplace safety and personal health. Learning about the various risk factors for certain conditions may promote healthier lifestyles and safer workplace habits, reducing injuries and accidents that happen on the job. This also has economic benefits, since it could chip away at the $62 billion that American companies spend on workplace injuries every year. 

Finally, providing an opportunity for your employees to receive CPR/First Aid training promotes a better workplace environment and makes employees feel valued. The entire team will feel safer knowing that everybody around them knows how to respond to emergencies, and this can help foster a culture where all employees look out for each other. Per a Business Insider report, we know that one of the biggest reasons for dissatisfaction at work is when employees don’t feel valued by their bosses. Employers who provide this type of training demonstrate that they value the health, wellbeing, and safety of each person who works there – and what better way to show that you care? 

CPR and First Aid training at work is a no-brainer. It can save lives, reduce accidents, and promote a better working environment. Information about these trainings can be found on our website, and we are happy to help outfit your business with the AED that works best for you.