Community CPR and defibrillator training sessions launched across the South West
South Western Ambulance Service offers free training to enhance survival rates in emergencies
The South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) is encouraging residents of the South West to participate in free community sessions designed to teach CPR and how to use a defibrillator.
These sessions aim to provide participants with the confidence to perform life-saving measures during emergencies. Delivered by Community Training Volunteers, the sessions are available to communities across the region, ensuring accessibility within towns, villages, and neighbourhoods.
Cardiac arrest can occur to anyone at any location, highlighting the importance of early intervention. Statistics show that in the UK, only about one in ten people survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
Early CPR and using a defibrillator within the first three to five minutes can significantly enhance survival rates, potentially increasing them to as much as 70%. However, 38% of UK adults have not received CPR training.
SWASFT aims to alter this through the new initiative by teaching individuals how to identify cardiac arrest, perform CPR effectively, and use a defibrillator, enabling them to act confidently before emergency services arrive.
The sessions are interactive, providing opportunities for attendees to practice CPR, utilize training defibrillators, and ask questions in a supportive environment.
Hannah Butler, Defibrillator Project Officer at SWASFT, said: “Those first few minutes after a cardiac arrest are absolutely crucial. By giving more people, the skills and confidence to perform CPR and use a defibrillator, we can dramatically improve someone’s chance of survival. Our Community Training Volunteers are passionate about sharing these lifesaving skills. We want to work with everyone across the South West to make this training as accessible as possible, so more people are confident to step forward and help in an emergency.”
This initiative is part of SWASFT's broader mission to improve cardiac arrest survival rates and reduce health disparities by ensuring communities have access to vital life-saving skills.
While these training sessions are free, attendees are encouraged to make a voluntary donation to the South Western Ambulance Charity. These contributions assist in expanding the reach of the program and equipping more individuals with essential skills.