An AED is a lightweight, portable device that delivers an electric shock through the chest to the heart. The shock can potentially stop an irregular heartbeat and allow a normal rhythm to resume following sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). The British Heart Foundation and Resuscitation Council UK have stated that the chances of surviving a SCA diminish by 10% every minute and the likelihood of survival after 10 minutes is almost zero.

Mark Murphy, integrated systems manager at James Donaldson and Sons, said: “Most people can only imagine the impact a cardiac arrest can have, but speaking from personal experience, I understand the devastating impact on the person’s family and work colleagues.

“We spend a significant amount of time with our work colleagues; we talk to them, we know their families, we socialise with them, and in line with our proud family business ethos, they become our extended family.

“The defibrillators mean that we are now able to provide assistance in the event of a first aid emergency, which could ultimately be the difference between life and death. The investment further demonstrates our commitment to putting health and safety first in everything we do.”

This personal experience, combined with the fact that, statistically, SCAs are most likely to affect middle aged and older men (42% of JDS employees are aged 45 and over), has driven the decision to invest in AEDs at all sites.

JDS has also registered its on-site AEDs on The Scottish Ambulance and Emergency Service website, as well as Heart Safe, the UK’s leading public access defibrillator website. The AEDs are now publicly available for people located close to sites to use during working hours.