When someone collapses and stops breathing normally, it is important to quickly call 999, perform hands-only CPR and use a defibrillator (AED). Anyone can be affected by a cardiac arrest at any time and without intervention the person will quickly die. Islanders have the opportunity to learn these life-saving skills during Restart a Heart week 2020.

The Guernsey Cardiac Action Group together with professional ambulance staff and volunteers from St John will be giving free CPR and AED demonstrations at venues around Guernsey (full list below) from Monday 12^th to Saturday 17^th October.

To book* a place on one of these events call 077811 29539 or email info@cag.org.gg

There is also a public ‘drop-in’ demonstration taking place atthe Market Square, St Peter Port on Saturday 17^th October between 11am – 2pm, where members of the public can get hands on.

Community Resuscitation Development Officer Mike Froome has organised this free week-long event as part of the CAG initiative to ensure all sections of the community have the opportunity to get involved and get hands on experience, gain the knowledge, skills and confidence to help save a life.

Mike Froome said: “The bystander’s involvement is crucial in saving a life and the quality of that life. Immediate CPR and use of an AED, while you are waiting for the emergency services to arrives makes a difference.”

Mike added: “People may be worried about the risk of infection during Covid-19 which is why we are following guidance from the Resuscitation Council UK and teaching hands only CPR. Getting hands on before the paramedics arrive gives the patient the best chance of life while reducing the risk of infection to the rescuer.”

Chief Ambulance Officer, Mark Mapp said: “We have seen a number of cases in Guernsey, recently where people have recognised someone is having a cardiac arrest and have done early CPR, while someone else is calling 999 for an ambulance. It can be the difference between a life lost and a life saved. Doing CPR and using an AED are simple but life-saving skills which we believe everyone in the community should learn and not be afraid of using.”

Restart A Heart is an annual initiative led by the Resuscitation Council UK. In partnership with the British Heart Foundation, British Red Cross, St John Ambulance and alliance of ambulance services. In 2017 the initiative went global with the formation of World Restart a Heart Day which takes place on 16^th October every year with health organisations from all over the world working together to increase public awareness of cardiac arrests and increase the number of people trained in life saving CPR.

Places are limited, to book a place on one of these familiarisation sessions please call 077811 29539 or email info@cag.org.gg