Thousands of people in the UK are dying of a cardiac arrest because Britons are reluctant to attempt CPR a report finds that "Members of the public who witness a cardiac arrest perform CPR in fewer than four in ten cases according to the British Heart Foundation.
This compares to almost three in four in Norway, where survival rates are three times as high. Previous research by the government showed about 1.000 lives per year could be saved in England if more people were willing to undertake CPR.
NHS England clinical director for heart disease Prof. Huon Gray said: "It is vital we provide all people with the best possible chance of survival."
AED’s (Automatic External Defibrillator) are getting more available now which works well with CPR. Part of a protocol of an AED can be: “No shock advised start CPR.” or, “No shock advised check for pulse.” An AED does not know if the casualty is dead or alive, it will only work if it senses a shockable rhythm. Dead - no rhythm, no shock. Normal rhythm - no shock. (this is when taking a pulse is useful).
If the heart is fibrillating (not normal) an AED will move to “Shock Advised” to try to defibrillate the heart and return it to a normal rhythm.
You can work with an AED if you know how.
Important Note: a vibrating floor (workshop etc) can fool an AED, this is just one of many reasons why an AED needs you to provide vital information.
Learn CPR and how to work with an AED, you can make a difference. If people become more familiar with the procedure, somebody could be in a position to help you one day.
We do appreciate the current stance in the UK regarding training in the use of an AED.
Contact Life Saving Solutions Limited, do not wait until you need it, it could be too late.
Look at our available courses and receive qualified, professional training to help you to deal with medical emergencies.