Creating a Public Access Defibrillation System in Public Places and the Workplace for the Most Effective First Aid in Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Since September 1, 2024, historic changes have taken place in Russian legislation: Order No. 220n of the Ministry of Health came into force, officially allowing the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) by bystanders when providing first aid. This opens up new opportunities for saving lives at production sites and in offices, but simply purchasing equipment is not enough. ARIBRIES experts Marina Osanova and Ekaterina Moreyna analyze in detail how to build a full-fledged public access defibrillation system that will actually work in a critical situation.

Why a System is Important, Not Just the Presence of an AED

Every year in Russia, about 350 thousand people die from sudden cardiac arrest, and 80% of cases occur outside medical institutions — at home, on the street, or at the workplace. The presentation emphasizes that in ventricular fibrillation, every second counts: the critical window for successfully restarting the heart is only 3 – 5 minutes. If a defibrillator is used within this time frame, the chances of survival increase to 75%.

That is why the concept of the "chain of survival" requires a systematic approach. The placement of devices must be accompanied by a clear understanding of who, how, and when will use them before the ambulance arrives.

Algorithm for Working with a Defibrillator: From Theory to Practice

Using the example of a modern AED, the speakers show that using the device does not require medical education. The device independently analyzes the heart rhythm and decides whether a shock is necessary. The key task of the rescuer is to turn on the device and strictly follow the voice prompts.

Modern models are equipped with sensors for monitoring the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). They correct a person's actions in real time, prompting the required depth and frequency of compressions. This removes the psychological barrier and minimizes the risk of error in a stressful situation.

Four Stages of Implementing Defibrillation at an Enterprise

Creating a working infrastructure requires sequential steps, which the speakers combine into a single algorithm:

• Analysis and Information. Assessing risk zones at the enterprise (workshops, checkpoints, canteens) and working with personnel. It is important not just to issue a directive from above, but to explain the significance of the problem to people through master classes and social videos.
• Selection and Placement of Equipment. Determining optimal installation points, purchasing AEDs taking into account specific features (for example, the presence of pediatric electrodes for public spaces), and ensuring their anti-vandal protection.
• Employee Training. Basic briefing once every three years is not enough. The practical skill of performing CPR using an AED is lost in six months, so regular refresher courses are necessary, especially for dedicated rapid response teams.
• System Monitoring. The experts cite an illustrative example of Paris, where an unscheduled inspection revealed 25% of non-working AEDs due to discharged batteries. Regular monitoring of the technical condition of the devices and the expiration dates of the electrodes is a critical condition for the viability of the entire system.

Implementation Experience: From Global Practices to Russian Realities

In global practice, public access defibrillation systems have been successfully operating for decades. In the Netherlands, for example, a network of 24 thousand AEDs is integrated with a mobile application for 245 thousand trained volunteers, which increased survival in cardiac arrest from 9% to 25%.

In Russia, this path is just beginning, but there are already successful cases. The presentation details a pilot project of a large metallurgical company: more than 300 devices were installed, over 8,000 workers were trained, and internal instructors were prepared. The main result of this large-scale work is the real saved lives of employees who returned to their families and work.

What You Will Learn from This Webinar:

• How to legally use an AED in the workplace taking into account the new Order No. 220n of the Ministry of Health?
• How to properly integrate defibrillators into the corporate occupational health system?
• What mistakes in AED maintenance can cost the victim their life?
• How to organize effective personnel training without interrupting production?
• Where exactly at the enterprise will the installation of defibrillators give the maximum effect?