Air ambulance holds cardiac arrest training days

Two thirds lack knowledge needed to help

The Devon Air Ambulance is celebrating the success of their first public training day.

As part of the charity's 'Help with all your Heart' campaign, they launched a public survey to find out how many people would feel confident when helping someone in cardiac arrest. The results showed that almost two thirds of respondents said they would be willing to step in and help, but felt they were lacking knowledge.

It comes as Devon Air Ambulance crews attended 333 patients who were suffering cardiac arrest last year - so far this year, they've already attended 118 cases.

Following the results, Devon Air Ambulance has set about planning five defibrillator training days across the county, designed to combat the barriers people felt in the survey. It will include several clinical crew-led sessions, help to distinguish the difference between a heart attack and a cardiac arrest as well as hands-on learning about how to do effective CPR.

Two training days have already been held in Bideford and Totnes and were attended by 120 people.

Ginnette Gisborne, Devon Air Ambulance's communications manager, said: "We are incredibly pleased to be able to deliver the first two of our five CPR and Defib training days.

"The feedback from those who have attended so far has been fantastic and we are thrilled that so many people have left the session feeling much more knowledgeable about cardiac arrest and, importantly, that they now feel they have the confidence to step in and help someone suffering a cardiac arrest before specialist medical help arrives. Statistics show that a staggering 75% of cardiac arrests happen at home, so I would encourage people to join us if they can, so they can feel prepared and gain the extra knowledge and the confidence to help to save a life. 

"I would like to thank all of the training venues who have kindly donated the use of their premises free of charge, saving vital funds being spent on room hire; Bideford Pannier Market, Totnes Royal Seven Stars Hotel, the Totnes Rotary Club, Culm Vally Sports Centre, Ivybridge Rugby Football Club and Future Bodies Gym in Okehampton."

More information about Devon Air Ambulance's training days can be found here.

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