Why Workplace Emergency Response Plans Fail During Cardiac Events

(And How Organizations Can Fix It)

Sudden cardiac arrest can happen anywhere including offices, worksites, warehouses, or retail environments. It strikes without warning and it is one of the leading causes of death globally. Unlike a heart attack, which involves blocked blood flow, sudden cardiac arrest is an electrical failure that stops the heart from beating normally. Without immediate action including CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and access to an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) the chances of survival drop by 10 percent every passing minute.

Many organizations assume they are ready. They have emergency manuals, evacuation procedures, and trained personnel. Yet when cardiac arrest happens, workplace emergency response plans often collapse at the very moment they are needed.

This breakdown is not due to a lack of documentation. It is caused by a mismatch between how plans are designed and how cardiac emergencies actually unfold in real life.

Cardiac Emergencies Do Not Follow the Script

Traditional emergency response planning focuses on structured and predictable incidents such as fires or chemical spills. These events allow time to coordinate and follow standard checklists.

A sudden cardiac arrest is different. It is immediate. It is chaotic. People nearby must instantly recognize the event and respond within seconds. There is no time to consult manuals or wait for help from designated responders. Anyone present becomes the first responder.

Example

A colleague collapses during a meeting. Some think it is fainting. Others try to wake the person or call for HR. Meanwhile, the clock is ticking. Without chest compressions and early defibrillation from an AED, survival becomes unlikely within minutes.

This proves that real cardiac response depends on action, not paperwork.

Role Confusion in the First Minutes

The most common failure in workplace cardiac emergencies is uncertainty. People freeze because they do not know:

Who calls for emergency medical services	Who performs CPR	Who retrieves the defibrillator	Who monitors the scene until help arrives

Even well written procedures fall apart if employees do not remember what their role is. If the plan relies on specific individuals such as only first aiders, response may stall when those people are not nearby.

To ensure fast response, everyone must understand that they have permission to act.

Confidence Matters as Much as Training

Organizations frequently invest in CPR and AED training once a year. However, most people forget skills quickly, especially when they are rarely used.

Under high stress, hesitation is natural.

Common fears include:

• Worrying they might harm the victim • Concern about legal liability • Fear of using an AED incorrectly • Anxiety in crowded or high pressure situations

The result is delay, and delay is deadly. Real preparedness requires building confidence, simplifying instructions, and ensuring employees know that AEDs are designed for anyone to use safely.

Modern Automated External Defibrillators such as the ZOLL AED Plus provide real time voice and visual prompts to guide users through CPR and shock delivery. This reduces fear and increases action.

Workplace Layout Can Hide Life Saving Equipment

Facilities often overlook physical barriers like:

• Long walk distances to where the AED is stored • AEDs placed behind locked doors or in restricted rooms • Poorly marked locations without clear signage • Multiple floors with no accessible device nearby

Every second spent searching for an AED reduces survival. In a large office tower or industrial plant, the closest defibrillator could be a three minute run away which is already a critical delay.

A truly effective emergency response plan must be built on how the workplace is laid out, not how it appears on paper.

The Illusion of Preparedness

Many organizations assume they are ready because they have:

• A documented plan • Some trained responders • A defibrillator on site

However, preparedness fades without:

• Continuous refreshers • Regular emergency drills • Maintenance of AED batteries and pads • Tracking staff turnover • Reviewing past near misses

Complacency is dangerous. An AED that has expired pads or a team that has forgotten their training can fail in the only moment it is needed.

Designing for Real World Response

To overcome these gaps, workplaces must rethink how they structure cardiac emergency planning.

The focus must shift toward:

✔ Speed of action ✔ Simplicity in roles and instructions ✔ Empowering everyone to help

Key recommendations:

1. Place AEDs where they are visible and accessible within three minutes from any point on site.

2. Train all employees regularly and include confidence building, not just technical knowledge.

3. Simplify roles. At least three people must know who calls, who retrieves equipment, and who starts CPR.

4. Run realistic drills that simulate stress and urgency.

5. Maintain equipment through scheduled checks and automated alerts where available.

6. Use technology that guides action such as AEDs with CPR feedback and voice instructions.

The future of cardiac emergency preparedness lies in designing systems that match human behavior under pressure.

Reference: “Where Can You Usually Find AEDs”, Instagram Reel posted by [sgfirstAid], accessed on [Apr 2024]. Link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5-ZbYAOI-u/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

A Proactive Workplace Saves Lives

Sudden cardiac arrest is a survivable emergency when a defibrillator and CPR are used immediately. Early action can raise survival rates from less than 10 percent to over 70 percent in some public access defibrillation programs.

Your organization’s emergency plan should not only exist on paper. It must work in real life to protect employees, customers, and visitors.

If you are responsible for workplace safety, now is the time to evaluate:

• How quickly can an AED reach a victim

• How confident are employees in responding

• When was your last drill

• Are responsibilities crystal clear

• Are your employees confident in operating the existing AED in an emergency?

Immediate preparedness is the only defense against sudden cardiac arrest. By building response plans that truly reflect real world conditions, organizations can become lifesaving environments.

Ansac Technology (S) Pte Ltd is ISO 9001 certified for quality management and BizSafe Star certified for workplace safety and health excellence.