Notes

Duress Alarms - Who Uses Them?
Duress alarms are used by those at the highest risk including security and healthcare staff. A simple activation operation sends a wireless signal to a team that the user requires help.


These are typically connected to internal escalation systems or monitored response services like MePACS. They can also include features such as man down and no response alerts.
Lone Workers

Providing a duress alarm device for staff members who work alone has an extremely positive impact on their job satisfaction, morale and mental health. When a team feels supported and safe in their workplace, they are more productive and are better able to meet the needs of customers, patients and clients.

A duress alarm can be a simple, discreet and user-friendly device. It can be triggered by pressing an easy-to-locate call button, or by pulling a cord to send a silent signal that enables workers to summon help. Alternatively, smartphone-based duress systems can be used anywhere there is mobile phone coverage. lone worker safety devices These devices are popular with remote or isolated workers, such as a mobile field service technician who might be working in an underground car park or rural location where there is no network coverage.

Aggressive behaviour towards healthcare and aged care workers is on the rise, so it's more important than ever that staff are able to quickly and easily summon assistance. Personal duress alarms are often used in hospitals and long term care facilities to allow staff to summon emergency services from a patient's room or even from the hospital grounds.

A good duress system will have a range of features that support an organisation's Duty of Care to employees. These can include Man Down and No Response alerts that ping headquarters if a worker is knocked out or unconscious.
Medically At Risk

Lone workers like security guards, meter readers, doctors, nurses & other health professionals, or those that work alone at stand-alone buildings, can use duress alarms (also known as panic buttons) to notify colleagues & family members of their location. They may also need to call for emergency services if they suffer an accident or become severely ill while working by themselves.

These specialised devices can also help people who are the target of domestic violence. They can activate the device without alerting their tormentors or drawing too much attention, allowing them to send a signal that they need assistance without fear of being attacked or killed. Some duress alarms can even provide GPS locations so that authorities & cares can track down a person who needs assistance.

A good quality duress alarm is easy to use, and features an intuitive design that’s not overly complex. Overly complicated systems may need hours of training to use and they will be less likely to be used when needed – especially if they don’t have the right features for a specific scenario that they will encounter.

Other important feature considerations are if the device can be used in underground facilities or metal buildings, and if there is a solution to operate in areas with no cellular coverage. Also consider if the device can be operated manually or automatically, whether it’s silent or audible, and what types of emergency responders it can signal.
Elderly

Often used as medical security devices for elderly people, duress alarms allow an individual to discreetly call for help without calling for the police. Usually worn around the neck, a device like the MePACS duress alarm is activated by pressing a button on the alarm unit which sends an alert to responders. The responders will then contact emergency services (000) or a designated family member or carer.

The response from the monitoring centre or carer will vary depending on the situation, but it’s important to know that there is 24/7 monitoring and support available for all users. This is especially useful for lone workers, elderly people and those at risk of violence or who suffer from dementia.

Duress alarms can also be fitted with GPS which can track the location of the user and send an alert if they move out of a predetermined safe zone or if the device detects a fall. This feature is extremely popular for lone workers, particularly those who work in high-risk environments like hospitals and nursing homes. Additionally, it can be helpful for schools and campuses that have temporary workers who are unfamiliar with the building layout or where the emergency exits are located. It can also help visitors or temporary workers to prevent them from getting lost or becoming disorientated during an evacuation or fire.
Schools & Campuses

In schools and campuses, duress alarms (also called panic buttons) are a safety tool that allows students, teachers, staff, and administrators to call for help in an emergency. Duress alarm systems can be integrated to respond to multiple scenarios, including triggering a school’s lockdown protocol or notifying local authorities of an incident. The flexibility and integrability of Inovonics duress systems enable staff to determine the appropriate response when a button is activated.

While a duress alarm system can be used by anyone, it is especially helpful for high risk workers like those in schools and campuses. These include social workers, psychologists, pathologists, and aged care workers, who may work alone in stand-alone buildings or isolated areas. Duress alarms can also provide peace of mind for lone workers in any industry, as well as security guards on patrolling routine routes.

When it comes to school and campus security, clearly-marked, easy-to-use duress alarms are crucial. Overly complicated systems might fluster users in a stressful or dangerous situation, making it difficult for them to remember what steps they need to take or even press the correct button. A wireless duress alarm system is also an important consideration because cellular signal issues and interference can make landlines unreliable. A system that uses a secure connection and can’t be disabled by snipping a wire is the best option.

Website: https://loneworkerdevices.co.uk/