AEDs in the Gym
For a few of us here at defibshop, going to the gym or participating in some form of exercise is part of our routine. Whether it’s on a daily basis or allotted days of the week, you’ll always find at least one of our staff members hitting the gym.
Everyone knows that exercising is a crucial aspect when it comes to achieving a healthier heart and a healthier lifestyle. Exercising provides the heart with the physical tasks it requires to become stronger and more efficient.
Because more and more people are becoming aware of the benefits to the heart from exercise, many gyms and leisure centres across the UK have taken it upon themselves to install life-saving defibrillators in case of a sudden cardiac arrest event.
With all this in mind, we wanted to share why it’s important to check your gym has an accessible defibrillator close by, along with first aid trained staff to apply life-saving treatment in an emergency.
Sport Fanatic... Or Not?
From a young age, many people decide to join a sports club of some sort in order to be a part of something and to get fit at the same time. Interest can dwindle if the club has been a long-term commitment leading to people leaving and then not exercising at all.
According to National Statistics, 36% of adults (16+) participate in sport at least once a week, whilst 57% of interviewed adults hadn’t taken part in any physical activity for over 28 days. These statistics hint at one thing: the majority of the UK does not like exercising.
Not participating in exercise puts individuals more at risk of developing long-term diseases which can potentially lead you to fall victim to sudden cardiac arrest with no prior warning or symptoms. Defibrillators and CPR go hand in hand when treating a patient of sudden cardiac arrest; it’s this simple reason they should be located in as many different environments as possible; gymnasiums included.
Any Time, Any Place
Contrary to many people’s beliefs, sudden cardiac arrest can happen at any time and in any place without any prior warnings or symptoms. Unlike other cardiac events, sudden cardiac arrest does not discriminate on factors such as age, gender, current health condition or ethnicity.
Heart concerns are often associated with those living an unhealthy lifestyle, however, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Many athletes including footballers Fabrice Muamba, Tobi Alabi and cricketer James Taylor have fallen victim to a cardiac arrest – further highlighting the risk which follows those participating in physical activity. Don’t forget any strenuous activity or blow to the chest can trigger an SCA, which is why quick access to an AED is imperative for survival.
So, whether you’re a regular marathon runner or a total couch potato, the risk of falling victim to sudden cardiac arrest is completely equal.
Its reasons like this that gymnasiums should have the life-saving devices readily available to the public as anyone who’s exercising could suffer from an underlying heart condition which could be triggered whilst exercising, leading to a sudden cardiac arrest.
When someone suffers a cardiac arrest it is important that both aspects of the treatment are delivered as quickly as possible. If effective CPR and defibrillation of the heart takes place within 3-5 minutes of the patient collapsing, their survival chance increases from 6%-74%! For every minute the victim is without the required life-saving treatment, their survival chance drops 10% per minute.
On Your Marks, Get Set...
As the survival statistics currently stand, it’s clear to see that more defibrillators need to be placed in public places. Despite exercise having countless benefits for the heart and your overall health, nothing can prevent you from falling victim to cardiac arrest.
As stated before, cardiac arrest requires more than one treatment aspect and one without the other may not assist in the rescue of the patient. As ambulance response rate times are on the rise, it is important as many people as possible are aware of the required treatment for the casualty and understand what needs to be done.
Go!
Sometime soon, we’re hoping to see automated external defibrillators in every gymnasium and in every public place we visit.
But, enough about us, we want to know about your gym and whether it has a defibrillator or not! Remember without a defibrillator, you’re not heart safe.
Leave us a comment in the commenting section below, or if commenting isn’t your style, why not head on over to Twitter and Tweet us @defibshop and let us know whether your workout location is heart safe and ready to act in a medical emergency.
defibshop are committed to equipping everyone with the skills and knowledge to save a life. Speak to one of our Product Specialists on 0161 776 7422 or fill out our Contact Form.
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