Every second counts when someone is having a heart attack. That's why I learned how to do life-saving CPR as part of British Heart Foundation [BHF], St John Ambulance and British Red Cross's Restart A Heart Day.
There are over 30,000 out of hospital cardiac arrests every year in the UK, and only 1 in 10 survive. The chance of surviving is almost zero if someone collapses and does not get CPR until the emergency services arrive.Thousands of deaths could be prevented if more people knew how to do CPR.
It's a simple skill that can save lives, everyone should learn how to do basic first aid, including CPR.
Simon Gillespie, Chief Executive of the British Heart Foundation, said:
“It’s great to have the support of Helen Whately MP.
“There is clearly a huge benefit to the public knowing life saving CPR skills, evidenced by the vastly better survival rates from cardiac arrests in countries where CPR is part of the curriculum. Thousands of deaths could be prevented if more people learn CPR.
I encourage all secondary schools in Faversham and Mid Kent to apply for the BHF’s free training kits by visiting bhf.org.uk/cpr.”
Mel Fox, Director of Training at St John Ambulance, said:
“Now's the time for first aid education to be available to all our young people. Learning CPR and other life saving skills should be part of their passage into adulthood and with many free resources available for schools like our Big First Aid Lesson on 3rd November, there is plenty of opportunity for children to become life savers.”
Joe Mulligan, head of first aid education at The British Red Cross said:
“We want all young people to feel confident and willing to help when faced with a first aid emergency. Learning first aid helps to increase confidence levels and we believe it’s a life skill everyone should have.
“Ultimately the British Red Cross would like everyone to have the opportunity to learn first aid throughout their lives, starting at school, so that a generation of people can be equipped with the skills they need to help in an emergency.
“Our free teaching resources and workshops are designed to give young people the skills, confidence and willingness to act in an emergency.”
