AED and Golf Courses

It has been estimated by the Heart and Stroke Foundation that there are 70,000 heart attacks a year in Canada, which means there is one heart attack every seven minutes. In a recreational sport such as golf, if you add in the heat and the age of the player, which the demographic tends to be older, the risks of a heart attack occurring increase significantly. In simple terms, there are people who succumb to heart attacks while on the golf course and are not being tended to quickly enough, and you never know who will be next!

Ask yourself the following three questions…

1. What is the state of readiness at your golf course when it comes to sudden cardiac arrest incidents?
2. Do they even have an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) and a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certified personnel on staff?
3. Do you know whereabouts the AED are in the clubhouse?

These questions should be an eye opener in terms of the actions of the health and safety at your club. Just because your club has an AED doesn’t mean that they are will be ready when called to action. Did you know that by law golf courses are not required to have an AED on site? However, that does not mean golf courses should not invest in safety precautions and purchase an AED.

Not all staff members are properly trained to use an AED, and most are not CPR certified. Usually, there are only three to five staff members that are CPR trained and certified and only two to three are present on the property during the hours of operation. Personally, I think the members and guests of the golf club would feel better knowing that the majority of the staff working are CPR trained and are able to use the AED effectively.

Most golf clubs in the GTA and Ottawa region have an AED on their property and it is those who do a little more can be called “the leaders” in safety and precautions of their clubhouse and facilities. Not only is it important that the staff educated with the information on how to properly administer CPR and using the AED machine, but as well as the public and those who use your facility.

It is very important that the public can see that the club has taken care and responsibility because it shows that the club has effectively exhibited due diligence and care towards its members and guests.

The club should put up small displays that say that there is an AED on the property and where to find it. Another tip for a golf course that takes their safety precautions seriously is having a display board of those staff members that are CPR certified.

A club that takes its safety and precautions seriously will be able to foresee the liabilities and risks of what could occur if you didn't have an AED and CPR on your property and are doing everything in their power to be ready.

What are the consequences? Members and guests could possibly sue your property for being negligent which can cost your club a hefty sum, your club's reputation can be at risk, and a feel of negligence and lack of responsibility is perceived of the staff including the General Manager.

The plan of action that the club can implement:

1) Educate themselves (staff, managers, & members (public))

2) Create a SOP that is easily visible to the public

3) Purchase an AED and offer training programs

3) Be involved with the programs that support AED and/or CPR programs i.e., the Mikey program http://mikeynetwork.com/the-mikeys-young-at-heart-school-defibrillator-program

4) Evaluate what other clubs and organizations are doing and be one step ahead of them

5) Become an industry leader by being aware and informed

One should understand the seriousness of a heart attack incident occurring on the clubhouse property. If the clubhouse is fully prepared with trained staff and an AED on site, then the reputation of the club should not be affected. However, if the clubhouse refuses to acknowledge the risk and its implications, then serious repercussions may ensue if a heart attack occurs and the clubhouse is not ready to take action. Why wait for an incident to occur? Be proactive and prepared!

By Jasmine Paton