Ambulance Service invites South West communities to attend CPR training events this Restart a Heart month
The South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) is inviting people across the South West to take part in free community events this October to learn lifesaving CPR, as part of the annual Restart a Heart (RSAH) initiative.
Led by Resuscitation Council UK, the initiative raises awareness of cardiac arrests and equips people with the confidence and skills to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and to use a defibrillator.
By learning these simple techniques, members of the public can play a vital role in improving survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.
From Wednesday 07 to Sunday 18 October, paramedics, emergency care assistants, volunteer community first responders, and colleagues from the Volunteering & Community Services team at SWASFT will deliver free, hands-on training sessions at venues across the region. Participants will have the chance to watch CPR demonstrations, practise on manikins, and learn how to locate and use a defibrillator in an emergency.
Everyone who completes a 15-minute CPR session will receive a certificate, but even a few minutes spent learning from the team will help towards increasing survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests across the South West.
Each year, around 100,000 people in the UK suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest - that's approximately 250 people every day - and sadly, fewer than one in ten survive. Immediate CPR and defibrillation are critical, as every minute without intervention reduces the chance of survival by around 10%.
Hannah Butler, Volunteering and Community Services Officer at SWASFT, said: “Every minute matters when someone suffers a cardiac arrest, and knowing what to do can make the difference between life and death. A simple act like starting CPR or using a defibrillator can more than double a person's chances of survival.
“With 80% of cardiac arrests happening at home, it could be a friend or family member who urgently needs your help.
“Throughout Restart a Heart month, we want to give people across our communities the skills and confidence to step in during those critical moments. These events are a chance for anyone to learn how to save a life, and we're looking forward to welcoming people of all ages to get involved.”
Event details for this year’s Restart a Heart events delivered by the South Western Ambulance Service are listed below:
Devon:
Wednesday 07 October
· Riviera Connect Expo Riviera International Centre, Chestnut Avenue, Torquay, TQ2 5LZ | 09:30-17:00
*This is a ticketed event, but tickets are free
Wednesday 14 October
· Jubilee Hall, Chawleigh, Chulmleigh, Devon, EX18 7HH | 19:00-21:00
· Bradford and Cookbury Village Hall, Bradford, Holsworthy, EX22 7AB | 19:00-21:00
Thursday 15 October
· IKEA Exeter, 1 IKEA Way, Exeter, EX2 7RX | 10:00-16:00
Saturday 17 October
· Meldon Village Hall, Meldon, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 4LU | 17:00-19:00
Cornwall:
Tuesday 13 October
· Sainsbury's, Penzance, Eastern Green, Penzance, TR18 3AP | 10:00-15:00
Wednesday 14 October
· Tesco, Cambourne, Wesley Street, Camborne, TR14 8DT | 09:00-19:00
Thursday 15 October
· Boscastle Community & Recreation Centre, Fore Street, Boscastle, PL35 0AU | 14:00-18:00
Friday 16 October
· Falmouth Fire Station, Western Division Headquarters, Trescobeas Road, Falmouth, TR11 2LQ | 10:00-15:00
Saturday 17 October
· Par Market, Stadium Retail Park, Par Moor Road, Saint Austell, PL25 3RP | 10:00-15:00
Wiltshire:
Friday 16 October
· Designer Outlet Centre, Swindon, Kemble Drive, Swindon, SN2 2DY | 09:00-15:00
*The finish time for the Designer Outlet Centre event is dependent on attendance and may be extended.
Dorset:
Friday 16 October
· Sovereign Shopping Centre, 600 Christchurch Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth, BH1 4SX | 09:00-16:30
Gloucester:
Sunday 18 October
· Gloucester Quays, St Ann Way, Gloucester, GL1 5SH | 10:00-16:00
To find out more about this year’s Restart a Heart events, including event information and updates, visit the SWASFT website - https://www.swast.nhs.uk/restart-a-heart-day
If you’re unable to attend one of the events but would like to bring CPR and defibrillator training to your own community group, find out more about hosting a session via https://www.swast.nhs.uk/cpr-and-defibrillator-training
Follow SWASFT on social media for updates and information about this year’s events and join the conversation using #RestartAHeart.