What does the center’s preparation offer?
Cardiac arrest can occur in any environment, including a work activity with no apparent special risks. Organizing first aid should facilitate the recognition of a serious situation, activate help, and initiate the appropriate actions. Preparation reduces obstacles such as not knowing the exact address or not locating available equipment.
This document explains how to integrate the response into the center’s prevention plan. It does not replace practical training or instructions from emergency services. The company must analyze its needs based on its activity, size, layout, and the presence of other people, coordinating its own resources and external assistance within the corresponding plan.
Recognition and immediate call
The 2025 European Resuscitation Council guidelines recommend checking that it is safe to approach and immediately calling emergency services if a person is unresponsive. In Spain, this can be done by calling 112. Breathing should be assessed while establishing communication, following the operator’s instructions; gasping does not equate to normal breathing.
If the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, CPR should be started and a defibrillator used as soon as it becomes available. In adults, compressions should be performed in the center of the chest at 100–120 per minute and to a depth of 5–6 centimeters. Those who are unable to perform rescue breaths can perform continuous compressions following telephone instructions.
Defibrillator function
The automated external defibrillator analyzes the heart rhythm and determines if a shock is necessary. Follow its voice or on-screen instructions, apply the pads according to the diagrams, and ensure no one touches the person during the analysis or shock. Continue CPR afterward, following the device’s instructions and telephone support.
For the management of the center, it is essential to know the installed model, its consumables, and its maintenance requirements. The equipment does not replace emergency calls, nor should it be a reason to delay them. Its implementation should be considered as part of an organized response, with clearly assigned maintenance and access responsibilities.
Distribute tasks without delaying help
If several people are present, they can divide the tasks: making calls, initiating the necessary assistance, bringing the equipment, and facilitating access for emergency medical services. The tasks should be simple and appropriate to the situation. People should not be required to first locate a supervisor to authorize an emergency call or complete forms before providing assistance.
Emergency teams need to know entrances, floors, doors, and ambulance rendezvous points. In large or shared facilities, a postal address may not be sufficient. Clear entrance and location references are helpful, with information readily available to temporary staff, contractors, and shifts that don’t share the daytime schedule.
Availability, maintenance and review
The equipment must be locatable and usable during the times it is expected to be available. It is advisable to check the signage, the status indicated by the device, the battery, patches, and expiration dates according to the manufacturer. These checks require a responsible person and a backup system in place when they are not present.
The review should consider layout changes, restricted access, and temporary relocation of the equipment. If it is removed for maintenance or after use, the planned coverage must be managed and the situation reported to the appropriate parties. A defibrillator listed in an inventory but out of service may create an expectation of assistance that the organization cannot fulfill.
Applicable training and requirements
Practical training allows for practicing recognition, calling, chest compressions , and the use of training equipment. It must be updated and adapted to the center’s context. Attending a course alone does not guarantee responsiveness if practice is not maintained or if internal procedures add confusion.
In Spain, Royal Decree 365/2009 establishes a framework for defibrillators outside of healthcare settings, which is further developed by the autonomous communities. Applicable obligations regarding installation, notification, training, and maintenance must be verified. There is no single installation requirement for every company simply because it employs people; the analysis must consider regional regulations and the specific characteristics of the workplace.
Practical example
A fictitious company installs a defibrillator in the reception area, but access remains locked during the afternoon shift. An exercise reveals that staff members know the device exists but don’t know how to access it outside of business hours. The problem isn’t clinical; it’s an inconsistency between the device’s location and the building’s actual operation.
The company corrects availability, updates instructions, and practices access, including calling and receiving external help. The exercise is evaluated to identify delays and confusion, not to assign blame. The changes are also tested with employees who work less frequent shifts.
After an intervention
After actual use, equipment must be inspected and replaced according to instructions, necessary information must be kept confidential, and all required communications must be addressed. Internal analysis should focus on how the notification, access, and coordination processes functioned, without disclosing the affected person’s health data.
It is also advisable to offer support to those who participated and to address any difficulties respectfully. The lessons learned are incorporated into the emergency plan and training. In this way, preparedness remains a real capability of the center, with available resources and procedures that are understandable to those who may encounter an emergency.
