Most Americans Don’t Know How To Operate An AED

A new survey from Cintas found that 63 percent of Americans are not confident that they know how to operate an automated external defibrillator (AED).

Do you know how to operate an automated external defibrillator (AED)? What about the people working in your facility? That knowledge could be a matter of life and death, but a new poll commissioned by Cintas Corporation found that 63 percent of Americans are not confident that they know how to operate an AED.

AED
(Source: Cintas)

“In many emergency situations, prompt, properly administered first aid care can mean the difference between life and death,” said Tom Lally, Director of Training & Compliance – First Aid & Safety, Cintas. “No matter if your workplace is located in a factory or traditional office, first aid and CPR/AED training provides your employees with the certification, confidence and capability to provide immediate critical care during an incident, injury or illness.”

The survey also revealed how confident Americans are in performing other first aid skills, revealing that only about half of Americans (54 percent) are confident that they know how to perform CPR.

When it comes to basic first aid skills and emergency preparedness, the survey revealed that Americans are more confident in these abilities:

  • 79 percent of Americans are confident that they know what to do/where to go during a weather-related emergency (e.g., tornado, hurricane, earthquake).
  • 78 percent of Americans are confident that they know how to use a fire extinguisher.
  • 75 percent of Americans are confident that they know how to administer basic first aid (e.g., bandaging a cut, stopping a nosebleed, using an epinephrine pen, Heimlich maneuver).

“An employer is responsible for determining the requirements for their first aid program,” added Lally. “However, not all first aid training programs meet the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) First Aid Standard, which is why it’s important to work with an organization that provides certified, OSHA approved first aid training.”

The survey was conducted online by The Harris Poll, from October 24-26, 2018 among 2,003 U.S. adults ages 18 and older.