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Beyond Having an AED: Building a Confident Workplace Response
You Have an AED. But Would Your Employees Know What to Do With It? Audience: All commercial businesses Cover AED accessibility, readiness checks, staff confidence, emergency drills, and response planning.
9/26/20262 min read
Access Is the First Step
Having an automated external defibrillator (AED) on your premises is an important investment in workplace safety, but equipment alone does not guarantee an effective emergency response. During a cardiac arrest, every minute matters. Employees must be able to locate the AED quickly, reach it without unnecessary barriers, and bring it to the person in need as soon as possible.
Businesses should place clear signs throughout the premises and ensure that employees, visitors, and emergency responders can access the device at all times. The AED should not be hidden in a locked office, stored behind clutter, or available only to a small group of staff. Its location should be communicated during onboarding, staff meetings, and safety briefings. Larger workplaces may also need more than one device, particularly where buildings are spread out or access routes are lengthy.
Regular Readiness Checks Protect Reliability
An AED must be ready to operate when an emergency occurs. Assign responsibility for routine inspections rather than assuming that someone else will check it. A readiness review should confirm that the device shows no fault indicators, the battery is within its service life, and the electrode pads are sealed, undamaged, and in date.
Businesses should also inspect the carrying case, signage, cables, and accessories. If the AED has been used, moved, or exposed to unsuitable temperatures, it should be checked immediately. Maintain a written inspection record so that checks are consistent and any replacement needs can be addressed promptly. A device that is present but poorly maintained can create a dangerous false sense of security.
Confidence Comes Through Practical Training
Many employees hesitate in emergencies because they fear making a mistake. Clear training can reduce that uncertainty. Staff should understand how to recognise a suspected cardiac arrest, contact emergency services, begin CPR, retrieve the AED, and follow its spoken or visual instructions.
Training should emphasise that AEDs are designed for use by non-specialists. The device analyses the person’s heart rhythm and gives instructions about whether a shock is advised. Employees should also know that they must follow the device prompts, avoid touching the person during analysis or shock delivery, and continue CPR when instructed. Refresher sessions help maintain confidence, especially when teams change or equipment is relocated.
Drills Turn Plans Into Action
Emergency drills allow businesses to test whether their procedures work in practice. A realistic exercise can reveal problems such as unclear responsibilities, delayed access to the AED, missing first-aid supplies, poor reception for emergency calls, or confusion about who will guide paramedics to the scene.
After each drill, invite participants to identify what went well and what should improve. Update procedures where necessary, and repeat exercises periodically. A strong response plan should define how staff raise the alarm, call emergency services, begin CPR, retrieve and operate the AED, control the surrounding area, and meet arriving responders.
Preparedness Is a Shared Responsibility
Effective AED readiness combines accessible equipment, regular maintenance, confident employees, and practiced procedures. Commercial businesses should treat these elements as part of an ongoing safety program rather than a one-time purchase. When everyone knows what to do, a workplace is better prepared to respond quickly and decisively when every second counts.
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