“It could be the most important thing you ever learn” – British Heart Foundation | News in Newry

Just half of the people in Northern Ireland say they would be able to perform CPR if a loved one had a sudden cardiac arrest in front of them. 

This is despite the latest data showing that around 80 per cent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen at home. 

The figures have been revealed as the British Heart Foundation (BHF) calls on people to learn lifesaving CPR during February’s Heart Month.

There are more than 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK each year.

But less than one in ten people survive, often because those around them don’t have the skills or confidence to perform CPR.  

The survey, which was carried out for the BHF by YouGov, also shows that a third of people in NI (33 per cent) have never learned CPR.

Of those, half (50 per cent) said it was because they didn’t know where to learn, while just more than a quarter (27 per cent) said they didn’t have the confidence to learn. 

The BHF says CPR ‘could be the most important lesson you ever learn’ – with early CPR and defibrillation shown to more than double the chances of surviving a cardiac arrest.

Through the charity’s CPR training app, RevivR, it takes just 15 minutes to learn.  

The tool means anyone can learn lifesaving CPR skills anywhere, anytime – and all that is needed is a mobile phone and a cushion. 

RevivR teaches how to recognise a cardiac arrest, gives feedback on chest compressions, and outlines the correct steps of using a defibrillator, giving anyone the confidence to help in the ultimate medical emergency.  

Fearghal McKinney, Head of British Heart Foundation Northern Ireland, says, “Every second counts when someone has a cardiac arrest, and knowing CPR could be the difference between life and death.

“A cardiac arrest can happen to anyone at any time – it could be your partner, your mum or dad or your child. 

“Our survey shows that too many of us still haven’t learned CPR and don’t feel they have the confidence to act in an emergency. 

“The RevivR app developed by the BHF can put this lifesaving skill in everyone’s hands.

“It only takes 15 minutes to learn with RevivR – that’s a coffee break, half time in the football or the time you might spend scrolling through social media.

“All you need is a smartphone or tablet and a cushion. 

“I urge you to do it today, as it could be the most important lesson you ever learn.”  

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Posted by NewryTimes News on Feb 16 2023. Filed under Community. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry