Jims installs AEDs in all clubs and provides relevant training to all personnel

To provide members with a safe exercise environment, Jims is investing in automated external defibrillators (AED) in all its fitness centres in Belgium and Luxembourg. In the process, all personnel will receive the relevant training to use an AED and reanimation (CPR/AED**). The risks related to heart failure are drastically reduced thanks to the rapid deployment of AEDs.

According to Red Cross Flanders**, about 30 people in Belgium suffer cardiac arrest outside a hospital every day, only 5-10% of whom survive. Starting reanimation within 3-5 minutes and using an automated external defibrillator (AED) increases the victim’s chance of survival by up to 70%, which is a good reason for Jims to invest in AEDs in all its branches in Belgium and Luxembourg.

Ensuring an even safer (exercise) environment

The mission of the 37 Jims fitness clubs is to encourage people to adopt a fit, healthy lifestyle. Members can come to Jims for fitness or power training, small group training courses, or group classes and are supervised by enthusiastic and skilled personnel. Today, Jims goes one step further. With the installation of AEDs in every club, Jims also provides an even safer exercise environment for members. Each member of personnel received the relevant CPR/AED training to be able to intervene quickly and administer first aid. The AEDs are also accessible to passers-by during the clubs’ lengthy opening hours.

“In our fitness clubs, the health and safety of our members are paramount. CardioService’s life-saving AEDs allow us to act quickly and effectively if needed, significantly increasing the chances of a successful resuscitation. Thus, we provide not only a place to get fit, but also a safe environment where our members can exercise with confidence. But above all, let’s hope we never have to use the devices,” says Pieterjan Nuitten, Business Unit Manager at Jims.

Great partnership with CardioService to save lives

Belgium does not legally require businesses to install AEDs. Even though the standard for a heart-safe environment is two AEDs per km², there is still a preventive backlog in Belgium. “However, AEDs make all the difference when it really matters,” says Laurent Decuypere of CardioService, who is responsible for installing the devices. “So you can exercise with peace of mind at Jims,” he adds.

CardioService installed the AEDs in a very visible place when entering the Jims clubs. “The device hangs next to the first aid kit on a Health Panel and is safe and easy to use, even for people with no medical background as it provides spoken instructions that guide the resuscitator through the process step by step. So there is no risk of using it incorrectly,” Laurent Decuypere adds. The AEDs at Jims are also multilingual, have a child button, are waterproof, and the speakers adjust to ambient noise.

*CRP= cardiopulmonary resuscitation or reanimation & AED = automated external defibrillator

**https://www.rodekruis.be/voor-organisaties/hartveilig/