Does Your Organization Have a CERP (Cardiac Emergency Response Plan) in China?

I. Purpose

CERP stands for Cardiac Emergency Response Plan. It is a comprehensive organizational protocol designed to guide immediate action when sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) or other cardiac emergencies occur.

This document is adapted from the American Heart Association (AHA) standards while being localized for China, especially Shanghai and other major cities. It aims to help foreign enterprises, international schools, and local organizations establish clear procedures to:

Build organization-level emergency mechanisms;

Define the roles of the Cardiac Emergency Response Team (CERT);

Standardize AED deployment and management;

Promote CPR/AED training and regular drills for employees.

II. Background and Significance

The Challenge of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) in China

SCA is one of the leading causes of sudden death worldwide. In China, approximately 544,000 cardiac-related sudden deaths occur annually, with most cases happening outside hospitals. Survival rates remain below 1%.

In fast-paced cities such as Shanghai, where both local staff and expatriate employees work in international enterprises, immediate initiation of CPR and AED use can raise survival rates from under 1% to 20–40%.

Why CERP is Essential for International and Foreign Enterprises in Shanghai

Workplace Diversity: Many multinational companies in Shanghai employ both Chinese and international staff. A standardized CERP ensures consistency across languages and cultures.

Legal and Compliance Needs: Chinese regulations encourage AED installation in public places and workplaces. Multinationals that implement CERP demonstrate compliance and corporate responsibility.

Corporate Reputation: For foreign enterprises operating in China, a well-established CERP strengthens brand trust among employees, clients, and government regulators.

Evidence shows:

Immediate bystander CPR can double or triple survival rates;
Each 1-minute delay in defibrillation decreases survival by 7–10%;
Organizations with AEDs and structured CERPs have reported survival rates exceeding 70%.

III. Why Every Organization in China Needs Its Own CERP

While international guidelines provide universal principles, each organization in Shanghai and across China must design a localized CERP due to:

Different workplace layouts (office towers, manufacturing sites, campuses);

Diverse workforce (local Chinese staff + expatriate staff);

Activity schedules across multiple shifts;

Risk profiles (elderly clients, student populations, industrial workers, athletes);

AED availability and management systems;

Communication channels (WeChat, PA systems, bilingual messaging apps).

A localized CERP ensures a fast and effective response that meets both international standards and China’s real-world conditions.

IV. Cardiac Emergency Response Team (CERT)

Every enterprise, school, and community in China should establish its own CERT.

Team Composition: At least 5 members or 10% of staff.

Coordinator: Responsible for training, AED management, and evaluation.

Responsibilities: Call 120 (China’s EMS), initiate CPR/AED, maintain order, debrief and support staff.

Coverage: Teachers, corporate staff, security guards, coaches, volunteers.

V. AED Deployment and Management

Placement: AEDs must be accessible within 3 minutes, especially in Shanghai offices, international schools, factories, and shopping malls.
Maintenance: Regular checks, battery and electrode pad replacement, maintenance logs.

Accessibility: Devices must never be locked and must have clear signage in Chinese and English.

VI. Training and Communication of CERP

Bilingual Protocols: CERP should be communicated in both English and Chinese in international workplaces and schools.

Training: CERT members must be CPR/AED certified (renewed every 2 years). Hands-only CPR for all employees.

New Employees: All new hires, whether Chinese or expatriate, must receive CERP training during orientation.

VII. Integration with EMS

AED locations and CERP protocols should be reported to local EMS and health authorities.

In Shanghai, companies can coordinate with local emergency centers to align procedures.

VIII. Drills and Evaluation

Conduct at least one drill annually (quarterly recommended).

Include bilingual tabletop exercises to ensure international staff understand procedures.

Post-event reviews should assess effectiveness and provide psychological support.

IX. Simplified Response Workflow

Recognize SCA (collapse, unresponsive, not breathing).

Call for help and dial 120 (China’s EMS).

Activate CERT; first responder begins CPR.

Use AED following prompts (Chinese/English voice instructions).

Handover to EMS upon arrival.

Aftercare: family notification, review, and staff support.

X. Conclusion

The essence of CERP is:

“Recognize quickly, call immediately, start CPR, use AED as soon as possible.”

In China, especially in international hubs like Shanghai, promoting and implementing CERP across schools, enterprises, and communities is vital to building a safer and more resilient society.

For foreign enterprises and international organizations operating in China, adopting a localized CERP demonstrates not only compliance with safety expectations but also commitment to employee wellbeing and global best practices.

XI. Support and Services

Sinoaid Health Promotion Center (also known as firstaidchina / Sinoaid), based in Shanghai, China, provides comprehensive CERP support for foreign enterprises, international schools, and local organizations across China, including:

Customized CERP design and localization for international workplaces;

Training and certification of CERT teams in both English and Chinese;

AED deployment planning and bilingual signage management;

Regular drills, reviews, and performance evaluation;

CPR/AED training programs tailored for multicultural workforces.

If your organization in Shanghai or anywhere in China needs support, Sinoaid Health Promotion Center (firstaidchina / Sinoaid) can deliver end-to-end planning and implementation services to build an effective CERP and strengthen lifesaving capacity in both local and international contexts.