If you find that somebody is not breathing, they have had a cardiac arrest. If a defibrillator is used and effective CPR is performed within 3-5 minutes of cardiac arrest, the chance of survival increases from 6% to 74%!!! Only 22% of people in the UK would be confident in performing CPR on a stranger. This statistic has to change in society as a whole for lives to be saved. Anybody can give them a chance to live.
There is a defibrillator closer to you than you may think. It's a good idea to find out the closest one to your home, school, place of work, or any place that you go regularly. You will usually find a one at public places, like schools, your local Co-op, leisure centres and sports stadiums. There are apps like GoodSAM Responder and Staying Alive which you can use to help you.
Most importantly, anyone can do CPR and use a defibrillator. There is no requirement to be medically trained. Any member of the public could use a defibrillator to deliver a potentially life-saving shock to a patient. The defibrillator itself will guide you.
There is also not an age limit. Basic life support skills including resuscitation and defibrillation have since 2021 become part of the UK's National Curriculum. If you are strong enough to push on a chest and are able to follow instructions from the defibrillator, you are able to perform these skills.
Below is an introductory video with a simple demonstration of CPR and the use of a defibrillator. Remember, anybody can give somebody in cardiac arrest the chance to live.
Key Links:
- https://www.resus.org.uk/covid-19-resources/covid-19-resources-general-public/resuscitation-council-uk-statement-covid-19
- https://www.bhf.org.uk/how-you-can-help/how-to-save-a-life/how-to-do-cpr/cpr-training-videos
- https://www.goodsamapp.org/
- defibrillators
- cpr
- https://vimeo.com/399707203
- http://www.ukcoaching.org/sca
