Workplace Cardiac Arrest: CPR, AED & First Aid Response Guide
Updated: Oct 19
Someone collapses at work.
They do not respond.
They are not breathing normally.
At that moment, your emergency procedure stops being a document and becomes a real-world test.
Who recognises what is happening?
Who calls emergency medical services?
Who starts CPR?
Who brings the AED?
Who opens the gate and directs paramedics to the casualty?
Cardiac arrest requires immediate action. The American Heart Association identifies unresponsiveness and absence of normal breathing as key signs and states that immediate CPR and rapid use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) can improve a person's chance of survival. www.heart.org
For South African workplaces, cardiac-arrest readiness should therefore be viewed as an emergency-response capability, not merely a First Aid training certificate.
Quick Answer: What Should Happen If Someone Collapses at Work?
If a person suddenly becomes unresponsive and is not breathing normally:
Make sure the scene is safe.
Check whether the person responds.
Activate emergency medical help immediately.
Send someone to get an AED if one is available.
Start CPR when cardiac arrest is suspected and the person is not breathing normally.
Use the AED as soon as it arrives and follow its prompts.
Continue the emergency response until professional medical help takes over.
South African National Department of Health guidance includes calling 112 or a local ambulance, calling for a defibrillator/AED and beginning chest compressions in cardiac arrest response. Health South Africa
This guide is educational and does not replace practical CPR/First Aid training or emergency medical advice.
What Is Cardiac Arrest?
Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood effectively.
The person typically becomes:
unresponsive;
unconscious;
not normally breathing;
sometimes gasping or showing abnormal breathing.
Cardiac arrest is different from simply fainting and it is also different from a heart attack.
The American Heart Association states that immediate CPR and rapid AED use can improve survival because cardiac arrest needs treatment immediately. www.heart.org
Cardiac Arrest vs Heart Attack: What Is the Difference?
These two emergencies are often confused.
Cardiac arrest | Heart attack |
The heart stops pumping effectively | Blood supply to part of the heart muscle is blocked |
Person is usually unresponsive | Person may remain conscious |
Normal breathing is absent or abnormal | Breathing may continue |
CPR and AED may be required immediately | Urgent emergency medical assessment is required |
It is primarily an electrical/pumping failure | It is primarily a circulation problem |
A heart attack can sometimes lead to cardiac arrest.
The important workplace lesson is:
Do not waste critical time trying to diagnose the exact medical cause when someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally. Activate emergency help and begin the appropriate emergency response.
The AHA also specifically distinguishes a heart attack from cardiac arrest and warns against misinformation such as “cough CPR.” www.heart.org
Someone Collapses at Work: What Should You Look For?
Possible cardiac arrest should be considered when a person:
suddenly collapses;
does not respond to voice or touch;
is unconscious;
is not breathing normally;
appears to be gasping rather than breathing normally.
Do not assume gasping means the person is breathing adequately.
The AHA notes that cardiac-arrest victims may show abnormal or agonal-type gasping. www.heart.org
Workplace Cardiac Arrest: The First 60 Seconds
The first minute should not be spent searching for a manager, completing paperwork or debating whether the person is “really” in cardiac arrest.
0–15 seconds: Make the scene safe
Before approaching, check for immediate hazards such as:
moving machinery;
electrical hazards;
traffic;
chemicals;
fire;
falling objects;
confined-space hazards.
Do not create a second casualty.
15–30 seconds: Check responsiveness and breathing
Check whether the person responds.
If they are unresponsive and not breathing normally, treat the situation as an immediate emergency.
30–45 seconds: Activate emergency help
Call for emergency medical assistance.
Assign one specific person if possible:
“You — call emergency services.”
Do not simply shout:
“Someone call an ambulance.”
Clear role allocation reduces uncertainty.
45–60 seconds: Send for the AED and begin CPR
If an AED is available:
Send someone to get it immediately.
Begin CPR according to your training and the emergency guidance available to you.
South African Department of Health guidance identifies a CPR compression rate of 100–120 compressions per minute for cardiac arrest. Health South Africa
The First Five Minutes: A Workplace Response Model
A workplace cardiac-arrest response should operate as a sequence.
1. Recognise
Person collapses.
Check responsiveness and normal breathing.
2. Alert
Activate emergency medical services.
3. Compress
Begin CPR when indicated.
4. Defibrillate
Bring and use the AED as soon as possible.
5. Access
Ensure emergency responders can reach the casualty.
6. Handover
Provide a clear handover when EMS arrives.
That sequence should be understood before the emergency occurs.
Why CPR Matters During Cardiac Arrest
When the heart stops pumping effectively, blood flow to vital organs drops sharply.
CPR attempts to maintain some circulation until:
the heart can be defibrillated where appropriate;
spontaneous circulation returns;
professional medical responders take over.
The AHA reports that CPR started immediately can double or triple the chance of survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. www.heart.org
That statistic should not be interpreted as a guarantee of survival.
It demonstrates why delaying action matters.
What Is an AED?
An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a portable device designed to analyse the heart rhythm of a person in cardiac arrest and determine whether a shock is appropriate.
Modern AEDs provide step-by-step voice instructions.
The device analyses the rhythm and only advises a shock when the detected rhythm meets its programmed criteria.
The AHA notes that AEDs are designed so members of the public can use them and that the device guides the responder through the process. www.heart.org
Can an Employee Use an AED?
AEDs are specifically designed to guide users through the response process.
Training remains extremely valuable because it can help employees:
recognise cardiac arrest faster;
retrieve and activate the AED confidently;
place pads correctly;
coordinate CPR with AED prompts;
minimise unnecessary delays;
work as an emergency-response team.
The goal is not merely owning an AED.
It is ensuring people know:
where it is, how to get it and what to do when it arrives.
Does an AED Shock Everyone?
No.
An AED analyses the person's heart rhythm.
It only advises a shock when the device detects a shockable rhythm.
If no shock is advised, the responder follows the device instructions and continues the appropriate CPR response.
The AHA explicitly notes that an AED determines whether a shock is required. www.heart.org
Where Should a Workplace AED Be Located?
An AED that cannot be reached quickly during an emergency loses practical value.
When deciding on placement, consider:
building size;
floors;
operating areas;
security controls;
access after normal office hours;
employee concentration;
high-risk activities;
visitor numbers;
distance between work areas.
Avoid hiding an AED:
in a locked manager's office;
inside an inaccessible storeroom;
behind security controls that most employees cannot bypass.
The objective should be rapid practical access.
Should Every South African Workplace Have an AED?
Do not tell employers that every South African workplace is automatically legally required to own an AED.
That is too broad.
AED provision should instead be considered within the organisation's:
emergency planning;
risk profile;
workforce;
location;
access to emergency medical services;
site layout;
occupational-health considerations.
An employer may decide an AED is appropriate even where a universal statutory obligation cannot be established.
Which Workplaces Should Seriously Consider AED Readiness?
Examples may include workplaces with:
large employee populations;
high visitor numbers;
older workforce demographics;
gyms or physically strenuous activity;
remote locations;
delayed EMS access;
large industrial sites;
difficult site access;
high public occupancy;
sports or training facilities.
This is a risk-planning consideration, not a legal declaration that every workplace in these categories must have an AED.
An AED Is Not Ready Just Because It Is Mounted on a Wall
A workplace should know:
exact AED location;
who checks it;
whether the battery is serviceable;
whether pads remain within manufacturer dates;
whether the cabinet is accessible;
whether signage is visible;
whether staff know where it is;
whether it can be retrieved during all operating shifts.
A device nobody can find is not an effective emergency system.
Create an AED Inspection Register
Where an AED is provided, the employer can maintain a basic register covering:
Check | Status |
AED present at designated location | |
Access unobstructed | |
Device status indicator normal | |
Pads present | |
Pad expiry checked | |
Battery/status checked | |
Signage visible | |
Inspection recorded |
Always follow the specific AED manufacturer's inspection and maintenance instructions.
CPR Alone Is Not the Whole Workplace Response
A cardiac emergency involves more than the person performing CPR.
A well-prepared workplace may need several people doing different jobs simultaneously.
For example:
Responder 1
Checks responsiveness and begins the emergency response.
Responder 2
Calls emergency medical services.
Responder 3
Retrieves the AED.
Responder 4
Meets the ambulance or opens site access.
Responder 5
Controls the surrounding area and directs staff away.
This is why workplace emergency planning matters.
One of the Biggest Hidden Risks: Can the Ambulance Reach the Patient?
Imagine an industrial workplace where CPR begins immediately.
The ambulance arrives outside.
Then:
security does not know where the casualty is;
the wrong gate is opened;
nobody meets EMS;
the casualty is three buildings away;
access is blocked;
there is no clear site address;
the emergency occurred inside a restricted production area.
Minutes can be lost.
That is why a cardiac emergency plan should include EMS access, not only CPR.
What Emergency Access Information Should a Workplace Prepare?
Record:
full street address;
building/site name;
nearest entrance;
gate number;
GPS or map information where useful;
security contact;
emergency access route;
lift or stair requirements;
hazardous-area restrictions;
person responsible for meeting EMS.
This information should be easy to find during an emergency.
Create a “Meet the Ambulance” Role
Assign responsibility in advance.
That person may need to:
go to the entrance;
open or coordinate security access;
identify the ambulance;
guide EMS to the casualty;
clear the route.
For large industrial sites, this may save valuable time.
What Is a Workplace Cardiac Emergency Response Plan?
A Workplace Cardiac Emergency Response Plan is a written operational plan describing how employees should respond when cardiac arrest is suspected.
It may include:
emergency numbers;
CPR responder roles;
AED location;
AED retrieval responsibility;
security/access arrangements;
ambulance-meeting point;
emergency contact sequence;
responder roster;
incident handover;
post-event review.
This turns an emergency response from improvisation into a planned sequence.
Workplace Cardiac Arrest Response Plan: Essential Roles
Role | Primary responsibility |
First responder | Recognise emergency and initiate response |
Emergency caller | Contact EMS |
CPR responder | Begin/continue CPR according to training |
AED runner | Retrieve AED |
Access coordinator | Open gate / meet EMS |
Crowd controller | Keep route and casualty area clear |
Handover coordinator | Provide EMS with relevant information |
Management contact | Escalate internally after immediate emergency actions |
Smaller workplaces may combine several roles.
Does Your Night Shift Have the Same Cardiac-Arrest Capability as Day Shift?
This is an important employer question.
Do not assume the workplace is prepared because:
the safety officer is trained;
the HR manager knows First Aid;
the AED is available during office hours.
Ask:
Who responds at 2:00 a.m.?
Check:
responder availability;
AED access;
security access;
emergency numbers;
gate control;
EMS directions.
Cardiac emergencies do not follow office schedules.
Cardiac-Arrest Readiness for Warehouses
Warehouses may have:
large floor areas;
loading bays;
moving vehicles;
storage aisles;
restricted access;
multiple shifts.
Employers should consider both responder availability and how quickly an AED or EMS team can reach a casualty in remote parts of the facility.
Cardiac-Arrest Readiness for Manufacturing and Workshops
Manufacturing sites can add complications such as:
machinery;
electrical hazards;
restricted areas;
noise;
multiple production zones;
PPE requirements.
Scene safety must come first.
A responder should not rush into an uncontrolled hazard.
Cardiac-Arrest Readiness for Offices
Office environments still need emergency planning.
Consider:
multiple floors;
elevators;
access-controlled doors;
basement parking;
reception/security;
hybrid working patterns;
AED accessibility.
A person collapsing on the eighth floor creates different logistics from a ground-floor warehouse.
Cardiac-Arrest Readiness for Construction Sites
Construction sites change continuously.
Potential challenges include:
temporary entrances;
changing access routes;
scaffolding;
incomplete floors;
cranes and machinery;
remote work areas;
changing contractors.
Emergency-response planning should change as the site changes.
Cardiac-Arrest Readiness for Remote or Field Teams
Remote locations can make emergency response particularly challenging.
Planning should consider:
mobile coverage;
location sharing;
emergency contact routes;
travel time to medical care;
staff First Aid capability;
site coordinates;
access for emergency vehicles.
Again, this does not create a universal AED requirement.
It highlights the importance of response planning.
What Is the “Chain of Survival”?
The Chain of Survival is a framework used in cardiac-resuscitation systems to describe the sequence of actions that improve the chances of successful resuscitation.
For an employer, the practical lesson is simple:
No single action works in isolation.
Recognition, emergency activation, CPR, defibrillation and professional medical response need to connect.
A workplace can therefore strengthen emergency readiness by reducing delays between those steps.
Common Workplace Cardiac-Arrest Mistakes
1. Assuming the person merely fainted
Unresponsiveness with abnormal or absent normal breathing requires urgent action.
2. Spending too long looking for a manager
Activate the emergency response.
3. Nobody knows the emergency number
Display and rehearse emergency contacts.
4. Nobody knows where the AED is
Location awareness should be part of workplace induction and emergency planning
where an AED exists.
5. The AED is locked away
Emergency equipment needs practical accessibility.
6. Everyone waits for “the First Aider”
Available employees still need to activate EMS and retrieve emergency equipment.
7. The ambulance reaches the wrong gate
Pre-plan emergency access.
8. Security has no emergency procedure
Security personnel may play a critical role in EMS access.
9. Drills only cover fire evacuation
Consider whether emergency-response exercises also test medical emergencies.
10. Nobody reviews the response afterwards
Every serious incident should trigger review and improvement.
Should Employees Practise Cardiac-Arrest Response?
Practical training and drills can help employees understand:
who calls;
who compresses;
who retrieves the AED;
where the AED is;
who meets EMS;
how access works;
how roles change if key people are absent.
A drill should not be treated as theatre.
It should expose delays.
Run a Workplace Cardiac-Arrest Drill
A practical drill could test:
Scenario
“Employee collapses in the warehouse receiving area.”
Measure
time until emergency is recognised;
time until emergency call is initiated;
time until CPR simulation begins;
time until AED reaches casualty;
time until security is notified;
time until entrance is opened;
time until designated person reaches ambulance meeting point.
The goal is not to “pass” the drill.
It is to find friction before a real emergency.
What Should Happen After a Cardiac-Arrest Incident?
After the immediate emergency is over, the employer may need to review:
incident chronology;
emergency call timing;
responder actions;
AED use;
AED consumables/replacement needs;
EMS access;
site delays;
equipment availability;
witness information;
employee support;
corrective actions;
whether the emergency plan worked.
The priority during the emergency is saving life.
Administrative work follows afterwards.
What First Aid Training Supports Workplace Cardiac Readiness?
Swift Skills Academy's current basic First Aid pathway includes its QCTO Basic Emergency First Aid Responder SP-230801 offering.
This article should not duplicate the full programme guide.
Its role is to explain the emergency problem.
Employers wanting course structure, programme details, availability or bookings should use the dedicated QCTO First Aid pages.
Why Practical Training Matters More Than Reading About CPR
A blog article can explain:
what cardiac arrest is;
why speed matters;
what an AED does;
how a workplace should plan.
It cannot replicate practical First Aid training.
Practical learning allows participants to:
practise assessment;
perform CPR technique;
work with simulated emergency scenarios;
experience time pressure;
coordinate response actions.
That is the commercial bridge.
Does South African Workplace Safety Law Specifically Say “Cardiac Arrest”?
Workplace health and safety law does not need to list every conceivable emergency by name before emergency preparedness becomes relevant.
The Occupational Health and Safety framework provides for workplace safety measures, emergency equipment, First Aid arrangements and the qualifications of persons applying First Aid. Labour.gov.za
The General Safety Regulations were amended in 2025 and remain part of the employer's broader workplace-safety framework. Labour.gov.za
For detailed First Aid legal requirements, use the dedicated SSA First Aid legal-requirements article rather than trying to turn this cardiac page into another compliance guide.
Does Every Workplace Need a Dedicated Cardiac-Arrest Team?
Not necessarily.
The objective is that the workplace has a credible emergency response appropriate to its circumstances.
For some employers that may involve:
trained First Aiders;
AED provision;
clearly assigned emergency roles;
security coordination;
drills;
emergency-response documentation.
The design should reflect the workplace's actual size, risk and operating pattern.
Workplace Cardiac-Arrest Readiness Checklist
Ask your organisation:
Recognition
Do employees know that unresponsiveness and abnormal breathing may indicate cardiac arrest?
Emergency call
Are emergency numbers immediately available?
CPR
Are suitable employees trained and available?
AED
Is there an AED?
Can employees find it?
Can they reach it quickly?
Access
Can an ambulance enter without delay?
Security
Does security know what to do?
Shifts
Does readiness exist outside normal office hours?
Records
Are emergency contacts and AED checks current?
Drills
Has the response been tested?
If several answers are “no” or “not sure,” the workplace has identifiable readiness gaps.
Download the Workplace Cardiac Arrest Response Plan — South Africa
Swift Skills Academy's free employer resource should help workplaces build a practical response system before a real emergency occurs.
The workbook should include:
emergency contact panel;
exact workplace address;
ambulance access instructions;
AED location register;
AED inspection register;
responder-role allocation;
cardiac-response action card;
shift responder roster;
security/gate procedure;
drill record;
EMS handover sheet;
post-incident review;
corrective-action tracker;
management sign-off.
The objective is simple:
Make the workplace easier to respond in during the first critical minutes.
What Should an Employer Do Next?
1. Identify your emergency number
Make it visible.
2. Confirm your exact site address
Do not assume every employee knows it.
3. Map EMS access
Know which gate, entrance and route should be used.
4. Identify trained responders
Check actual shift availability.
5. Review AED provision
If an AED exists, verify access and maintenance.
6. Assign emergency roles
Do not leave everything to one First Aider.
7. Train appropriate employees
Practical competency matters.
8. Run a drill
Test the system.
9. Fix the delays you discover
A drill without corrective action has limited value.
10. Review when the workplace changes
New buildings, shifts, gates, employees or operating hours may require the plan to change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main signs of cardiac arrest?
A person in cardiac arrest is generally unresponsive and not breathing normally. Abnormal gasping may occur. Immediate emergency action is required. www.heart.org
Is cardiac arrest the same as a heart attack?
No. Cardiac arrest is primarily an electrical/pumping failure in which the heart stops pumping effectively. A heart attack involves impaired blood supply to heart muscle. A heart attack can sometimes lead to cardiac arrest. www.heart.org
What should I do if someone collapses at work?
Make sure the scene is safe, check responsiveness and normal breathing, activate emergency medical help, send for an AED and begin the appropriate CPR response if cardiac arrest is suspected.
What emergency number can be used in South Africa?
National Department of Health guidance includes 112 or the applicable local ambulance service. Workplaces should also maintain their relevant local emergency-service numbers. Health South Africa
How fast should CPR compressions be?
South African Department of Health emergency guidance specifies a CPR compression rate of approximately 100–120 per minute. Health South Africa
What is an AED?
An AED is an automated external defibrillator. It analyses the person's heart rhythm and provides prompts, including whether a shock is advised. www.heart.org
Can someone without medical qualifications operate an AED?
AEDs are designed to provide step-by-step prompts and can be used by members of the public. Training remains valuable because it improves familiarity and response confidence. www.heart.org
Does an AED automatically shock everyone?
No. The AED analyses the rhythm and only advises a shock when appropriate. www.heart.org
Is every South African workplace legally required to have an AED?
Do not assume there is a universal requirement applying identically to every workplace. AED provision should be considered in relation to workplace risk and emergency planning.
Should the AED be locked away?
Emergency equipment should be practically accessible. An AED that cannot be retrieved quickly during an emergency may lose much of its practical value.
Should a workplace run cardiac-arrest drills?
Drills can help identify delays in emergency calling, CPR response, AED retrieval, security access and EMS routing.
Who should meet the ambulance?
Workplaces should consider assigning someone to meet emergency responders and guide them to the casualty, particularly at large or access-controlled sites.
Does reading this guide replace CPR training?
No. The guide supports awareness and employer emergency planning. It does not replace practical CPR or First Aid training.
Does First Aid training guarantee a successful cardiac-arrest outcome?
No. Cardiac arrest remains a severe medical emergency. Training and preparedness can improve the speed and quality of response but cannot guarantee an outcome.
Authoritative Sources & Regulatory References
Authoritative source | What it supports |
South African National Department of Health — Emergencies and Injuries / Cardiac Arrest | South African cardiac-arrest response guidance, emergency activation, CPR compression rate and AED/defibrillator use. Health South Africa |
American Heart Association — What Is Cardiac Arrest? | Cardiac-arrest definition, recognition and importance of CPR/AED response. www.heart.org |
American Heart Association — Treatment of Cardiac Arrest | Immediate CPR, AED use, recognition and survival evidence. www.heart.org |
American Heart Association — What Is an AED? | AED operation, public usability, prompts and shock analysis. www.heart.org |
American Heart Association — 2025 CPR Guidelines | Current CPR evidence and resuscitation guidance. American Heart Association |
Department of Employment and Labour — Occupational Health and Safety Act | Broader employer framework covering workplace safety, emergency equipment and First Aid. Labour.gov.za |
Department of Employment and Labour — General Safety Regulations Amendment | Current South African General Safety Regulations framework. Labour.gov.za |
Final Word
A cardiac-arrest emergency does not give a workplace time to invent a response plan.
The employer cannot control whether a cardiac arrest occurs.
It can control whether:
employees recognise the emergency;
emergency numbers are available;
CPR begins without unnecessary delay;
an AED can be found;
security opens the correct gate;
paramedics can find the casualty;
trained responders are available across operating hours;
the response is tested before it is needed.
