⚡ Every Second Counts: Why Every Business Should Know Where the Nearest AED Is

spelicnicolette
Nov 1
2 min read

When cardiac arrest strikes, time is everything. Every minute without defibrillation reduces survival chances by up to 10% — and yet, too many workplaces wouldn’t know where their nearest AED (Automated External Defibrillator) is located if an emergency happened right now.

At SkillWise Training, we believe every business, community centre, and sports club should not only have an AED — but know exactly where to find it and how to use it.

That’s why we developed the SkillWise AED Finder App, helping communities across Ireland locate the nearest defibrillator in seconds.

🚨 Why AED Awareness Matters

Sudden cardiac arrest doesn’t just happen to people with known heart problems. It can strike anyone, anywhere — a colleague, a customer, a passerby.And while emergency services in Ireland are among the best in the world, their average response time can still be 8–13 minutes — precious minutes that can make the difference between life and death.

That’s where an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) comes in. AEDs are designed for public use, providing clear voice prompts that guide you through the process — even if you’ve never used one before.

When paired with effective CPR, defibrillation can double or triple a person’s chance of survival.

📍 Why Businesses Need to Act

Knowing where your nearest AED is located — and ensuring your team does too — is a simple step that saves lives.

Whether your business is a café, pharmacy, gym, school, or office, the benefits are clear:

🕒 Faster response: Seconds matter — quick access means faster defibrillation.
🧠 Prepared teams: Staff who know what to do act with confidence in an emergency.
🫀 Compliance & responsibility: Businesses are increasingly expected to have an emergency response plan under workplace safety policies.
🌍 Community resilience: AED awareness strengthens safety across your local area.

📲 The SkillWise AED Finder

Our AED Finder App makes it easier than ever to locate defibrillators near you — whether you’re in Roscommon, Athlone, Longford, or anywhere in Ireland.

Users can:

✅ Search for AEDs nearby or along a route

✅ Add new AED locations to the map

✅ Report maintenance or missing AEDs

✅ Access First Aid and CPR quizzes and learning tools

Together, we’re building a community-powered safety network — one that can save lives before emergency services arrive.

🫶 How You Can Help

If you’re a local business owner, you can:

Check where your nearest AED is located using the SkillWise App.
Add your business AED to the map if it’s not already listed.
Train your staff in Cardiac First Response (CFR) to ensure your team can act quickly and effectively.