More Than Half of US Employees Not Trained in First Aid

(Newswire.net — August 1, 2017) Woodbridge, VA — A recent survey by the American Heart Association found that only 45% of American workers are trained in First Aid and CPR, an astonishing figure considering 10,000 cardiac arrests occur in the workplace every year. 

The survey of 3,000 U.S. employees covered a broad spectrum of fields, from office workers to education workers, labor workers and workers in hospitality/service, as well as over 1,000 managers in Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulated industries. 

Although only 45% of U.S. employees are trained in First Aid and CPR/AED, over 70% of employees believed that their colleagues would know how to provide first aid in an emergency situation, 60% believed co-workers would know how to use an AED and nearly 70% thought their co-workers would know how to administer CPR.

“The data suggests these untrained employees may be relying on their untrained peers in the event of an emergency, leaving employees with a false sense of security that someone in the workplace will be qualified and able to respond, when that is clearly not the case,” Michael Kurz, co-chair of the AHA Systems of Care Subcommittee, said in a June 19 press release. “First aid, CPR and AED training need to become part of a larger culture of safety within workplaces.”

To that end, 90% of those surveyed said they would participate in First Aid and CPR/AED training at work if it were offered by their employer, with 80% agreeing that it would be the “right thing to do.” 74% of employees would even partake in training out of office hours. Offering First Aid and CPR training may also have a positive impact on general office morale, as more than 65% of those surveyed said they would view their employers more positively if these courses were offered.

More than half of employees felt uncertain as to whether or not their place of employment would ever offer First Aid and CPR/AED training, or thought things would always stay the same, with no training ever being offered. 

Though less than half of U.S. employees are trained in First Aid and CPR/AED, it is encouraging that nearly all of those surveyed felt strongly about receiving training at work. The everyday citizen may be called upon at any time to help a stranger in need, and having training and knowledge ensures that the accident can be tended to properly.

It is also important to have the proper tools on hand in case of an emergency. Over 50% of those surveyed said they did not know where to find the AED in their place of work. Quickly locating the tools or instruments needed in an emergency is vital to be able to treat the victim. Though many industries are lagging when it comes to offering emergency training, employees can act on their own to make safety a priority. As part of a workplace emergency safety plan, ensure all employees know where the AED and first aid kit are located, and designate an employee to restock the first aid kit periodically. Having the proper safety items on hand is a step in the right direction towards office safety.