Heartbeat: Restart a Heart Day sees hundreds trained in life-saving techniques

October 31, 2018

Colleagues were urged to update their basic life support training on Restart a Heart Day earlier this month. The awareness event also gave visitors to our sites a chance to try out CPR, with many praising the drive.

The campaign, which has been organised by the Resuscitation Council (UK) and is in its fifth year, aimed to train a record-breaking 200,000 people with the skills and confidence to help save a life.

Events were hosted, not only at our organisation, but also at schools, community centres, and emergency service stations across the country.

Dr Derek Connolly, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, said: “This is an important campaign as we know that if CPR is started early it can double the person’s chances of survival. The more people educated in crucial life-saving techniques, the more people will survive ou tof- hospital cardiac arrests in the future.”

Bethan Downing, Deputy Director of Organisation Development and Learning organised the events with the deteriorating patient and resuscitation team.

She said: “The day was a huge success, with over 400 people taking part. Not only were we able to teach visitors CPR, but colleagues were able to update their basic life support training. There was a lot of energy and enthusiasm at both sites.”

In the UK there are over 30,000 cardiac arrests a year outside of hospital where the emergency medical services attempt to resuscitate the victim. Less than 10 per cent of these people will survive.

Federico Moscogiuri, Chief Executive Officer at the Resuscitation Council (UK), added: “This year’s Restart a Heart campaign was bigger than ever. We were aiming to train over 200,000 people, both face-to-face and online through our free lifesaver app, which can be downloaded at Lifesaver.org.uk.

“CPR is an important skill which anyone can learn, and which everyone will carry with them throughout their lives. The Restart a Heart campaign builds the skills and confidence of the lifesavers of today, and tomorrow.”