Ambulance service urges people to learn CPR
PCSO Helen Taylor being trained in CPR
LEARN CPR and save lives.
That is the message from South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.
Death rates from diseases of the heart and circulatory system have been falling in the UK since the early 1970s.
Despite this, it remains the main cause of death and accounted for almost 180,000 deaths in 2010.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest is a ‘time critical life threatening medical emergency’ with the chances of a successful resuscitation reducing by 10 per cent per minute.
SCAS Community Responder Manager, Richard Tracey, said: “If an adult has suddenly collapsed, is not breathing normally and is unresponsive, then they are suffering a cardiac arrest and you’ve no time to lose.
“Even if you are untrained your actions can help to save their life.
“There are two simple actions that you can take to help save their life: call 999 and push hard and fast in the centre of their chest about 100 to 120 times a minute until an ambulance response arrives.”
While CPR will ‘buy time’ a patient’s outcome will be significantly enhanced if they are given a shock from a defibrillator.
Modern defibrillators are portable, automated and designed to be used by lay individuals including Community First Responders (CFRs).
Volunteer CFRs undertake an initial two day training course run by the ambulance Trust during which they learn all the skills necessary to help save someone’s life.
Anyone interested in volunteering as a CFR should telephone 0800 587 0207 or email cfr@scas.nhs.uk for more information.
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Sunday 26 May 2013
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