How to Integrate a ZOLL AED into Your Company

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) can happen to anyone, anytime – including during a normal day at work, where we spend most of our time. In fact, 15% of cardiac arrests occur in the workplace.¹ That’s why it is critical to implement a comprehensive AED programme in your company.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the key steps to successfully integrate an on-site AED solution into your organisation.

Saving Lives in the Workplace

Many organisations hesitate to equip themselves with an AED due to concerns around ease of use, cost, and maintenance. However, AEDs are proven to save lives. Having (at least) one AED on-site can make a critical difference - not only for employees, but also for visitors, clients, and even passersby.

When someone experiences SCA, immediate action and early defibrillation is crucial: If no AED is available, an untreated victim’s chance of survival is only about 5%. If an AED is available, the chance of survival increases to 24%.²

Remember: To help ensure that you and your employees can provide rapid and effective treatment when a medical emergency occurs, it should take no longer than 3 minutes to retrieve an AED in any workplace location. For larger sites, this may require placing multiple AEDs throughout the workplace.

Key Factors to Consider When Selecting An AED

Ready to implement your AED programme? Here are the key factors to keep in mind when choosing the right AED for your company:

Value & Durability - Look beyond the initial purchase cost. Lower-cost AEDs may require more frequent maintenance, including battery and electrode replacement. ZOLL AEDs are designed for long-term reliability, with consumables lasting up to five years. This helps reduce total cost of ownership while ensuring the device remains ready when needed.
Feedback & Rescuer Support - During an emergency, clear guidance can truly make the difference - especially for users without medical background. ZOLL AEDs provide real-time CPR feedback, helping rescuers deliver high-quality CPR, with chest compressions at the correct depth and rate. This support can increase confidence during a high-pressure situation like a SCA episode.
Readiness & Smart Management - An AED is only effective if it’s ready to use at any moment. ZOLL AEDs perform automatic self-tests of key components such as the battery, electrode pads, and internal systems. Clear status indicators and Wi-Fi connectivity allow easy monitoring, making it simpler to manage one or multiple devices across locations.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Poor visibility: AEDs should be placed in visible areas, and anyone should be able to find and retrieve one within three minutes from any location in the building. Recommended locations for AEDs include main reception areas, main corridors, and outside elevators and stairwells.
Installing an AED without training staff: Offer regular AED training and certification and encourage all employees to participate – anyone can help!
Not checking device readiness regularly: Regular inspections - such as verifying battery status, electrode pads, and system alerts - help ensure the AED is always ready for use. Without these checks, there is a risk that the device may fail when it is needed most, potentially delaying life-saving intervention.

Building a "Rescue-Ready" Culture

Implementing an AED programme is about more than just installing a device. Awareness and training among your workforce are essential to ensure a quick and effective response in an emergency.

Here’s how to build a rescue-ready workplace:

Make sure everyone in your workplace knows where your AEDs are located and how to intervene in case of SCA. Place signage that clearly guides employees on where to find AEDs.
Distribute flyers, emails, or posters with basic facts about SCA and AEDs to everyone in your organisation.
Encourage employees to ask questions about SCA and using an AED in the workplace.

Take the Next Step

When it comes to saving lives, every second matters. Investing in a ZOLL AED is more than a regular purchase - it’s a commitment to preparedness, confidence, and care for every person who walks through the doors of your company.
With trusted reliability and Real-Time CPR Help®, your team will be equipped to respond decisively in critical moments, turning bystanders into lifesavers and uncertainty into action.

Explore the ZOLL AED range today and take a crucial step toward creating a safer environment for your employees, visitors, and the wider community.

¹ Perkins GD, et al. Resuscitation Council UK website, May 2021,
www.resus.org.uk/library/2021-resuscitation-guidelines/epidemiology-
cardiac-arrest-guidelines#references. Accessed 21 Feb 2022
² Weisfeldt ML, et al. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2010;55(16): 1,713-1,720.