Health and Safety expert Mike aiming to bust myths around defibrillators
A STAFFORDSHIRE business owner has stressed the importance for more defibrillators not just to be fitted in the workplace, but also in public areas.
With decades of experience in health and safety training, Mike Taylor, is on a mission to raise awareness for what he says is essential life saving equipment for any organisation.
The owner of Abacus Training has himself volunteered for West Midlands Ambulance Service for 13 years, and been working under East Midlands Ambulance Service with emergency call outs since 2022.
In the last 12 months, Mike’s own company have installed 17 defibrillators across Staffordshire and the Midlands, and he is keen to bust the myths which surround the equipment.
(Image Mike Taylor)
“Defibrillators are really such a vital piece of equipment and they can help to save lives,” says Mike.
“But yet there is still a lot of uncertainty and myths about using them, which we need to try and combat as much as we can.
“For example sometimes there are assumptions that they are really difficult to use, it’s expensive to have and to maintain one, but when you think about how it could potentially help to save someone’s life then the cost is tiny compared to a life saved.”
Mike adds: “According to data, CPR alone gives a 2-3% chance of survival and Defibs being used within about 5 minutes of collapse can give a survival rate of up to 50%. If someone was to use a defibrillator while waiting for an ambulance to arrive, then it could help quite significantly.
“Plus most defibrillators are quite easy to use and most speak to whomever is operating them to talk them through the process.
“In the last couple of years we have seen an increase in organisations being more receptive about having defibrillators installed on their premises because they have seen the value, but it is still not enough.”
“One of the important things to remember for any organisation is if someone was to have a cardiac arrest at work they could die if they are not given appropriate treatment quickly.
“If CPR and a defibrillator were used they could be back at work within a few weeks and that would be a lot better situation for all concerned.”
Thompson Wright worked with Abacus Training to have a defibrillator and outdoor Public Access Defibrillator cabinet at their head office in Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Kim Spate, Marketing Manager said: “Thompson Wright purchased a defibrillator and outdoor Public Access Defibrillator cabinet from Abacus Training for our head office in Newcastle-under-Lyme.
“As we have around 90 staff at this office, we wanted to have the defibrillator in case it was needed. It is also in memory of our late colleague Ian Wheat. We are based on the edge of Newcastle town centre and felt it would be beneficial to the community to have this situated on an exterior wall so that it could be used by the public at any time if needed. We feel that this supports our local community in their time of need, should that need arise.”
Mike also stressed the importance of having the correct health and safety training in place in a workplace. He added: “Yes there is the need for more defibrillators, but there is also the constant requirement for the correct training and for someone to feel confident in actually using one if required.
“There’s no point in just having the equipment installed on site at a workplace, or in a public space when if required to use a machine there is a lack of understanding and confidence to use one.
“Some may have the confidence to apply a few bandages or ice packs, but when it comes to doing CPR and then using a defib machine – it can be a different story – so having the correct and regular training to help with this is crucial not just in knowing how to use one, but also being alert and telling someone else to stop if they are not doing it correctly.”
Mike Reynolds at DPC Accountants, had a defibrillator installed at his Stone business premises in 2024, where 60 staff are based in a large building spread over two floors.
Mike Reynolds said: “We recognised that very few of our staff knew what to do with a defib machine, and we instantly recognised the importance of receiving the correct training and having one installed at our premises.
“The peace of mind of having the equipment on site has more than been a return on our investment and is a reassurance for all staff members too.”
