June 1–7 is CPR & AED Awareness Week

A few years ago, I was attending a conference with nearly 300 people in the room when a woman suddenly collapsed. As someone certified in CPR, AED, and First Aid, I immediately kicked into training when I heard someone yell, "Somebody call 911!"

Immediately, I recognized the problem: when you are trained, you learn that in an emergency, seconds matter. One of the first things we're taught is not to make general requests. Instead, you point to a specific person and give a direct instruction:

"You in the blue shirt—call 911."

"You—go get the AED."

"You—meet EMS at the entrance."

When everyone is responsible, often no one takes action, and that is exactly what happened. I scanned the room, and nobody moved. Everyone looked around waiting for someone else to take charge. I stepped in, helped coordinate the response, and thankfully emergency medical personnel arrived quickly. The woman ultimately recovered, and everything turned out fine.

But the experience left me wondering:

How many people in that room actually knew what to do?

The Reality

Cardiac emergencies, choking incidents, severe allergic reactions, falls, heat-related illnesses, and workplace injuries can happen anywhere.

Many organizations spend significant time training employees on technical skills, software systems, and compliance requirements, yet very few employees feel confident responding to a medical emergency. The truth is that emergency preparedness is a wellness issue.

When employees know how to respond, they can:

• Act quickly during an emergency

• Potentially save a life

• Reduce panic and confusion

• Create a safer workplace culture

• Feel more confident and prepared

Why This Matters for Leaders

Whether you're a business owner, HR professional, safety manager, supervisor, or team leader, employee wellness extends beyond stress management and healthy eating. Creating a healthy workplace also means preparing employees for unexpected situations.

Training opportunities may include:

• CPR & AED Certification

• First Aid Training

• Heat Safety Awareness

• Disease Prevention Education

• Healthy Eating & Nutrition Programs

• Stress Management & Mental Wellness

• Workplace Safety and Wellness Initiatives

These programs not only improve employee well-being but can also support risk reduction and safety goals within your organization.

Don't Wait for an Emergency

Most people assume someone else will know what to do, until they find themselves standing in a room watching an emergency unfold.

CPR & AED Awareness Week is a great reminder to ask:

• Do employees know where the AED is located?

• Have supervisors been trained in CPR and First Aid?

• Does the team know the emergency response procedures?

• When was the last time safety and wellness training was offered?

The best time to learn these skills is before you need them.

At Life Force Wellness, we help organizations coordinate workplace wellness and safety education, including programs focused on health, prevention, stress management, and employee well-being. In some cases, your insurance provider or wellness program may even help cover the cost of training.

Because when an emergency happens, "Somebody call 911!" isn't a plan.

Preparation is.