The deadly mistake in your work calendar
The deadly mistake in your work calendar
The schedule that doesn't exist: Why every workplace needs to be ready for the unexpected
The biggest mistake in your work calendar isn’t a missed meeting. It’s the event that will never be pencilled in: sudden cardiac arrest. You can’t schedule it, but being prepared could mean the difference between life and death.
Every year, 30,000 Australians experience sudden cardiac arrest. It strikes without warning and for workplaces that aren’t prepared, the outcome is often fatal.
The minutes that matter most
The numbers dont lie
St John Ambulance surveyed Australians about their first aid preparedness:
Every workplace knows the importance of taking meeting minutes. But the minutes that matter most are the ones immediately after a cardiac arrest.
Those first few moments are a race against the clock. Without oxygen, brain death can begin within 4–6 minutes, and for every 60 seconds that goes by, the chances of survival drop 10%.
That means, in the time it takes you to reset your password, someone’s chances of survival have almost halved. By the time an ambulance arrives it may be too late.
In the time it takes you to reset your password, survival after sudden cardiac arrest can already have halved — unless CPR and an AED are applied fast.
Your workplace’s first line of defence
Why should you care?
This is where an AED makes the difference. Unlike an ambulance, which can take 8–10 minutes to arrive, having an AED means your team can take lifesaving action without delay.
Modern AEDs provide clear voice prompts, analyse heart rhythm automatically, and only deliver a shock when it’s needed. You don’t need medical training, just the confidence to follow the instructions and begin CPR.
Be Prepared
First Aid Tip
The more staff who are trained and equipped, the greater your workplace’s chance of saving a life.
What you CAN plan for
You can’t plan when cardiac arrest will strike, but you can plan your workplace’s response.
That means:
- Ensure an AED is installed and accessible.
- Train your team in CPR and AED use.
- Keep First Aid kits checked and ready.
The call that can’t wait
Making preparedness a priority
Your team trusts you to keep them safe. Make sure they can go home to their families at the end of the day.
You can’t predict cardiac arrest. But you can be ready for it – with an AED, trained staff, and First Aid equipment close at hand.
The time to act is today. Because the deadly mistake isn’t in your meetings or deadlines. It’s in believing your workplace is safe just because the calendar looks full.
Ready to protect your workplace?
Contact St John NSW to find out how simple it is to add lifesaving AED capability and training to your workplace safety plan.