Training Defibrillators

Defibrillator Training Equipment

As an employer, you are already aware it is your responsibility “for ensuring that employees receive immediate attention if they are taken ill or are injured at work”. Did you also know this includes everything from a minor graze or sprained limb up to and including cardiac arrest?

Carrying out a risk assessment and implementing identified precautions can significantly improve the safety of the workplace. This assessment may identify the need for the installation of an Automatic External Defibrillator, or AED, materials.

Defibrillators are an effective way to save lives when cardiac arrest occurs. They are designed to be easy to deploy, however without AED trainers, many people panic in the midst of an emergency and struggle to handle the real machinery correctly.

AED practice kits teach how and when to respond to a cardiac arrest situation using an automatic external defibrillator. A teaching unit provides the opportunity to experience a simulated incident and includes instructions on how to deploy the device correctly. Training kits or bundles, such as the ZOLL AED Plus® Trainer Bundle with AED Signage, may include an instructional video, as well other visual aids and products to make learning how to operate the kit as simple as possible.

No matter the size of your organisation, at Seton we supply a comprehensive range of defibrillation training supplies and AEDs to suit your workplace education requirements.

Why Are Defibrillators Important?

When cardiac arrest strikes, it is vital that the person receives CPR with AED equipment deployed as soon as possible.

Cardiac arrest is a general term used to describe any abnormal fibrillation of the heart. This disrupted heart rhythm ceases blood flow around the body, which begins to starve vital organs, including the brain of oxygen.

As a guide, for every minute that passes whilst the person is in cardiac arrest, their chance of survival is reduced by approximately 10%. However if defibrillation is administered within the first 5 minutes, approximately 50-70% of victims survive. For this reason alone, it is vital that as many people as possible have access to, and are comfortable using these devices.

Whilst most are easy-to-use it is an uncommon scenario for the vast majority of people to find themselves in, so using practice trainer versions offers a great way to hone the necessary medical skills that may help save someone’s life.

At Seton, we supply a full range of AEDs and kits for the workplace. Once your staff have received instruction in how to operate a defib machine, they should be shown the location of your workplace AED(s) so that these can be easily identified at a critical time of need.

The Seton range includes defib machines produced by ZOLL and Mediana, along with other manufacturers such as Philips and LIFEPAK.

Do You Need Training To Use A Defibrillator?

Most versions are designed to be easy to operate. As such you won’t require formal coaching or any certification to operate them.

In most cases, such as the Cardiac Science G5 Training Unit or Prestan Ultra AED Trainer, the device will issue voice prompts and guidance in the correct procedure.

If you intend to install a specific brand or model in your workplace - such as factories, offices, schools - it makes sense to ensure as many people as possible in that environment are familiar with that specific unit. This is where providing a practice AED machine and implementing a coaching schedule comes into its own.

For example, if you install the ZOLL AED Plus® Automated External Defibrillator in your workplace; it is beneficial to also supply the ZOLL AED Plus® Training Defibrillator and encourage as many employees as possible to undergo medical training in the correct usage of the device.

Employees who are accustomed to using an AED are more likely to react confidently when a crisis occurs.

Defibrillator First Aid Guidelines and Requirements

Are Defibrillators Mandatory In The Workplace Uk?

The short answer here is no, it is not mandatory or a legal requirement to either install or provide education in the handling of AEDs, in the workplace.

It is important for employers to stay up to date with the HSE’s guidelines regarding first aid and AEDs - as of 1st January 2017, guidelines came into force regarding AED training requirements. These regulations specify that all first aid training must include Defibrillator Training or ‘AED Training’.

According to the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, it is not legally required for businesses and workplaces to install AEDs. However if a health and safety assessment of your premises shows that an AED should be installed, it is important to provide a guidance course to employees on its operation.

What Training Do You Need To Use A Defibrillator?

While it is not mandatory to undertake any specific training course, if you choose to undertake a first aid at work course or similar medical tuition, it is advisable to check the syllabus to ensure that CPR and defibrillator training is covered in the price.

At an international level, as well as in the UK, it is actively encouraged that untrained members of the public utilise available AED units when required. While it is described by the UK Resuscitation Council as desirable for those using a device to be well versed in its operation, it is not always practical, and in these situations untrained help is desired over no help at all.

All of our defibrillator trainers include clear instructions on how to operate and correctly use the kit provided. It may take some practice for those learning to feel confident they are ready to operate these machines in a real incident, but that is why dedicated training units are so important. The training typically includes learning how to operate the machine in a situation where a defibrillator is available and cardiopulmonary resuscitation by itself cannot save a victim’s life.

What Is The Best Defibrillator Training Equipment For Schools?

The Defibrillators (Availability) Bill 2017-2019 is currently working its way through the House of Commons. If the Bill is passed, it will require these life-saving devices to be placed in education, leisure and sports establishments. This will mean that all schools will be required to install AEDs and to train staff in the handling of these machines and other resuscitation materials.

The Prestan Ultra AED Trainer is considered the best defibrillator trainer for schools because it has pads that can be adjusted for both child and adult recipients.

Choosing an AED Training Defibrillator

When choosing resuscitation training products for your business, it is important to consider both workplace-specific requirements and specifically the type of devices (if any) already installed on site.

If you do not currently have an AED installed, it is recommended to purchase an AED training device or bundle that matches the live product you intend to install.

At Seton, we supply AED/PAD training products from all the major brands.

Zoll

The ever-popular ZOLL AED Plus® Training Defibrillator offers the ideal way to practice using the ZOLL AED Plus® Defibrillator to treat a person suffering from cardiac arrest. This unit simulates any of four different rescue situations and includes a wireless remote to allow an instructor to monitor multiple students. The ZOLL AED Plus® Trainer Bundle with AED Signage includes everything you need to get up and running with your new device.

Also available is the ZOLL AED 3 Defibrillator & Signage Kits which serves as a highly effective training tool that puts the user into a simulated cardiac arrest rescue situation.

Prestan

The Prestan Ultra AED Trainer is designed for instruction in both CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and defibrillator usage, and can be used by children or adults. This product includes an AED trainer that simulates fully and semi-automatic shocks, as well as a compression metronome, instructional graphics and voice prompts to train users in the administration of proper technique.

Why not add the Professional CPR Training Adult Manikin for a complete and effective training session?

Mediana

The Mediana Training Defibrillator is particularly suited to school and workplace training as it can simulate shock delivery in a number of different crisis situations. The Mediana Training device can simulate events in which there is a non-shockable heart, or where a shockable rhythm is detected. This allows trainees to experience a number of different types of distress scenarios.

Also available is the Mediana AED Kits With Signage & Storage which offers all the accessories required for your new unit.

Cardiac Science

The Cardiac Science G5 Training Unit offers the ideal way to teach basic defibrillation rescue skills and procedures. This device simulates different forms of heart arrhythmias to teach students how to apply defibrillation pads,as well as perform resuscitation techniques.

Don’t forget to add the correct pad type for your training session. We supply both adult pads and paediatric pads for the G5 trainer. Note the training pad size differs depending on whether the patient is an adult or child.

Top 3 Training Defib Machines

Take a look at the table below to compare the leading products in this range. At Seton we supply only the best products, at a competitive price. We also add fuss-free and fast delivery from our UK distribution centre.