Empowering AFTA Members to Respond and Save Lives
Tim Farnell’s recent experience underscores the importance of noticing unusual symptoms—such as unexplained breathlessness, persistent indigestion, or excessive sweating. However, it’s equally important to understand the difference between a heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).
A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked, typically with warning signs that develop over minutes or hours. In contrast, SCA is caused by a sudden electrical malfunction in the heart, striking without warning and causing a person to collapse and lose consciousness almost instantly. SCA can be fatal within minutes unless immediate treatment is provided, while a heart attack may give you more time to act and seek help.
Because SCA can happen to anyone, anywhere, and often without any prior symptoms, readiness is absolutely crucial. Being a HeartSmart organisation means your team knows how to recognise and respond to both heart attacks and SCA, bridging the critical gap between an emergency and lifesaving action. Immediate intervention is vital during SCA—especially with the assistance of a CPR Helper and a defibrillator. Without this prompt response, survival rates drop dramatically; however, with quick action, lives can be saved.
Through AFTA’s partnership with DefibsPlus, members can access the BeHeartSmart benefit, which includes cardiac emergency equipment and complimentary training. This initiative empowers everyone in your workplace—colleagues, staff, and customers alike—to step up and respond confidently in the event of an SCA. With DefibsPlus, you’re not just installing equipment; you’re fostering a culture of safety, preparedness, and genuine care. By learning how to use a defibrillator and understanding the proper steps in an emergency (such as the importance of quality CPR), every workplace can transform into a HeartSmart organisation.
Tim’s story is a powerful call to action: look out for warning signs, take charge of your health, and support one another. Now is the time for AFTA members and workplace leaders to take the next step—embrace the BeHeartSmart program, equip your premises with a CPR helper and a defibrillator, and encourage your team to participate in the free training. By doing so, you’re helping to create safer, more responsive communities where lives can be saved.
Prioritise wellbeing, foster a supportive environment, and become a HeartSmart organisation. Together, we can build stronger, healthier communities for everyone.
Members can access the information here.
Read AFTA Members’ Experiences here
Tim Farnell – Red Mullet Distributors