THE SOUTH Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) has hosted a series of events to mark national Restart A Heart Day, and is set to continue through the rest of October.
Following a recent award for its work improving the signage for defibrillators, SCAS has continued to raise awareness of CPR and defibrillators as it marked the national event on Monday, October 16, led by the Resuscitation Council UK.
Staff and volunteer first responders are set to hold sessions teaching attendees cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and awareness surrounding automated external defibrillators (AEDs).
These sessions will be brought to schools and community centres within the SCAS region, alongside the sharing of relevant resources across their social media platforms.
Fewer than one in ten people survive cardiac arrest when it occurs outside of hospital, and SCAS cites that two of the biggest contributing factors are the shortfall of people prepared to perform CPR and defibrillators.
It also said that the 5,245 defibrillators registered in the South Central region have been used 424 times in the last 12 months.
David Hammer, operations manager, community engagement and training at SCAS, said: “Restart A Heart day gives us a much-needed opportunity to shine a spotlight on how to recognise and effectively deal with a person in cardiac arrest.
“Sudden Cardiac Arrest does not discriminate and it can affect any person of any age. It is essential that people learn from a young age how to deal with this situation and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED).
“That is why on Restart A Heart Day and throughout the month, many of our staff and volunteers have been attending schools across the SCAS footprint delivering this vital education, and ensuring the pupils feel confident in their skills in the event they need to use them.”
SCAS also lends support to communities by offering basic Life Support Awareness training in schools and youth groups in the South Central region.
Information is available by contacting: Defib@scas.nhs.uk
More information about Restart A Heart Day is available via: resus.org.uk
