Anyone who works alone in high risk environments should consider a duress alarm. Lone workers include security guards, healthcare professionals, social workers and those who work in remote locations.
A duress button is especially helpful when working with agitated, potentially violent customers, patients or students. This device will allow them to contact emergency services quickly and discreetly.
How They Work
Duress alarms, or panic buttons, provide a discreet way for lone workers to call for help. They’re usually small, lightweight devices like a wearable pendant that can be activated by pressing a button or entering a code. This triggers an emergency response system on the other end – either a monitoring centre like Tunstall’s Connected Care or predetermined emergency contacts – to call police or ambulance.
Some duress alarms can also be activated by glassbreak and gunshot detection sensors. However, most are manually pressed by the user of the device, or by a colleague. This is done to avoid attracting attention from a perpetrator. The alarm will then send a signal to the emergency responders, and depending on the system, may notify the user’s GPS location or allow them to speak to a customer service agent to explain the situation.
Lone workers, high risk workers, and remote workers should consider a personal duress alarm as a safety precaution. These could include medical professionals like doctors, health care workers like nurses, social workers, psychologists, pathologists and aged care workers who often work alone or in dangerous environments. A duress alarm is a great tool for those who want to be able to call for help quickly and discreetly without alerting their tormentors. They can be used in hospitals, aged care facilities, and even home security settings to alert someone if they’re at risk of being attacked or injured.
Safety Benefits
Personal duress alarms are used by a wide range of people. These include lone workers such as security staff, healthcare & social workers, and those who work in remote or dangerous environments like mining & factory workers, truck drivers, lab workers etc. They are also often used by elderly people living alone and vulnerable people such as those suffering from dementia that may not always be able to call for help themselves in an emergency.
These devices are designed to be easy and quick to use in high stress situations. The best systems allow for one button pressing. This is important because under pressure, the brain doesn’t function at the same level as it normally does, so complex systems are not ideal. Ensure you choose a mobile duress alarm system that allows for discreet activation by placing it in a location where it is easy to reach, such as on the wrist, neck or belt clip.
Schools and colleges are also increasingly using personal duress alarms to protect their staff and students. There is a growing emphasis on taking all reasonable steps to ensure staff and student safety as part of the organisational ‘Duty of Care’. This includes having a fully managed 24/7 service to monitor staff and quickly respond in the event of an emergency. A device such as the XTendCall? mobile panic button, can be used to alert key school decision-makers and escalate the signal to local law enforcement with the push of a button.
Installation Options
Lone workers, security guards and caretakers can face dangerous situations that require them to call for help. If calling for backup is not an option or removing themselves from the situation is not possible, a duress alarm is a convenient way to send a message that they are in danger and need assistance.
The device is typically located somewhere on the body (like around the neck or wrist) that is easy for them to access but is inaccessible to others. It also features a simple activation mechanism like a push button or pull cord that they can easily activate when in danger. https://www.loneworkeralarms.co.nz/man-down-alarm/ These devices are designed to be lightweight and compact so they are not a tripping hazard for someone who is already stressed or in danger.
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When deciding on a duress alarm, consider its compatibility with other safety systems you have in place to provide maximum value for your investment. For example, if you have security cameras installed at your school or business, a mobile duress alarm can stream the camera feed directly to the person monitoring it. This gives them instantaneous situational awareness and can potentially save lives.
When choosing a professionally monitored duress alarm, look for a company that offers a 7-Day Practice Period to allow the user to test and practice their activation process. During this time, any calls received from your duress button will be treated as an emergency and dispatched accordingly. Once dispatched, a team member will remain on the line with you until help arrives – 24/7.
Maintenance
Duress alarms are a useful tool in deterring and reducing violence against your people. They should be used in conjunction with staff protocols, procedures and de-escalating techniques. Duress panic buttons should be located in an inconspicuous place and your people should know exactly how to use them. Duress alarms should be tested regularly to ensure they are functioning correctly. The batteries should be changed at least every six months (or as per manufacturer instructions).
https://www.loneworkeralarms.co.nz/personal-alarm/ Aggressive behaviour towards healthcare and aged care workers is on the rise. In fact, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare estimates that healthcare workers are assaulted at a rate of 55% more than they were five years ago.
In response to this, many organisations are considering the use of personal duress alarms. These are usually worn as a pendant or bracelet, and allow a person to press the button for help without attracting attention from their attacker. Lone workers in particular can benefit from these types of devices.
MePACS offers a range of personal duress alarms including a simple pendant and a wristband. These alarms work off the mobile network and require a cellular signal to operate. They have indicator lights on them to indicate if the battery is running low or if it has gone into standby mode. For remote or regional areas where a cellular signal is not available a satellite-based duress alarm may be more suitable.
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