Keeping Your Church Members Safe with the Right First Aid Supplies
Many churches, synagogues, mosques and other religious institutions provide a safe place for members to reflect and renew. It's important for places of worship to not only protect and care for their member's spiritual growth, but their health too.
Recently in Alabama, a woman who was attending a funeral service at a nearby church was brought back to life with an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED). As noted in the community newspaper's website: "Based on what I've been told, I'm convinced if not for the church having that (AED) she would not be with us today," said Sims' niece, Stacy White. "She was gone; there was no heart beat, but thanks to the defibrillator, she's alive."
That is just one example of how the right first aid supplies can combat such tragedies. Unfortunately, the lack of knowledge of what equipment is appropriate and necessary stops organizations from providing these life-saving devices. With some states now requiring health clubs and schools to provide AEDs and other safety equipment, places of worship may not be far behind in terms of required legislation. Now is the right time to partner with a first aid supply provider and procure the life-saving equipment.
What to look for when seeking a first aid supply provider? It can be easy if you keep in mind the following steps:
1. Ensure that the company you are entrusting with your health equipment needs is supported by the Better Business Bureau. Look into the awards they've received – especially safety awards – as well as feedback from their current customers. Are they easy and friendly to work with? Do you feel the company will be around for the long haul? Can you trust them with the health and safety of your members?
2. Make sure that your first aid supply provider offers emergency medical equipments that comes with a warranty to protect against any malfunctions. While the majority of equipment is vigorously tested to ensure they are performing properly, you want to rest easy knowing a backup is available if you need it.
3. Look into an AED Loaner Program which allows for customers to receive identical equipment to replace a unit that needs service or repair. Verify that your first aid supply provider will offer a loaner unit if your unit ever needs to be serviced, repaired or replaced.
4. Verify that the equipment comes complete with everything you need to get started, including a carrying case, electrodes, a battery, operations manual, training DVD, etc. Don't forget the aforementioned Warranty and Loaner Program.
5. Examine the various customer service offerings and see if they meet your needs. Do units come with a 30-Day Money Back Guarantee? What is the charge for shipping? Are there any additional products offered (either discounted or free-of-charge) that you can bundle with your order?
6. When your first aid supplies are available, proper training on how to use them is a key component. The American Red Cross provides training in addition to other life-saving training such as CPR and first aid. According to the Red Cross, its "first aid, CPR and AED programs are designed to give you the confidence to respond in an emergency situation with skills that can save a life."
Supporting the well being of one's local community goes well above providing a place to worship. Leaders at churches, synagogues, mosques and other religious institutions need to proactively ensure their members are safe at all times.
Recently in Alabama, a woman who was attending a funeral service at a nearby church was brought back to life with an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED). As noted in the community newspaper's website: "Based on what I've been told, I'm convinced if not for the church having that (AED) she would not be with us today," said Sims' niece, Stacy White. "She was gone; there was no heart beat, but thanks to the defibrillator, she's alive."
That is just one example of how the right first aid supplies can combat such tragedies. Unfortunately, the lack of knowledge of what equipment is appropriate and necessary stops organizations from providing these life-saving devices. With some states now requiring health clubs and schools to provide AEDs and other safety equipment, places of worship may not be far behind in terms of required legislation. Now is the right time to partner with a first aid supply provider and procure the life-saving equipment.
What to look for when seeking a first aid supply provider? It can be easy if you keep in mind the following steps:
1. Ensure that the company you are entrusting with your health equipment needs is supported by the Better Business Bureau. Look into the awards they've received – especially safety awards – as well as feedback from their current customers. Are they easy and friendly to work with? Do you feel the company will be around for the long haul? Can you trust them with the health and safety of your members?
2. Make sure that your first aid supply provider offers emergency medical equipments that comes with a warranty to protect against any malfunctions. While the majority of equipment is vigorously tested to ensure they are performing properly, you want to rest easy knowing a backup is available if you need it.
3. Look into an AED Loaner Program which allows for customers to receive identical equipment to replace a unit that needs service or repair. Verify that your first aid supply provider will offer a loaner unit if your unit ever needs to be serviced, repaired or replaced.
4. Verify that the equipment comes complete with everything you need to get started, including a carrying case, electrodes, a battery, operations manual, training DVD, etc. Don't forget the aforementioned Warranty and Loaner Program.
5. Examine the various customer service offerings and see if they meet your needs. Do units come with a 30-Day Money Back Guarantee? What is the charge for shipping? Are there any additional products offered (either discounted or free-of-charge) that you can bundle with your order?
6. When your first aid supplies are available, proper training on how to use them is a key component. The American Red Cross provides training in addition to other life-saving training such as CPR and first aid. According to the Red Cross, its "first aid, CPR and AED programs are designed to give you the confidence to respond in an emergency situation with skills that can save a life."
Supporting the well being of one's local community goes well above providing a place to worship. Leaders at churches, synagogues, mosques and other religious institutions need to proactively ensure their members are safe at all times.
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