York College was one of 33 schools/colleges in North Yorkshire that actively participated in Restart a Heart Day on 16th October 2018. Supported by members of the Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS), students and staff were introduced to the life-saving skill of CPR (cardio pulmonary resuscitation).
Sponsored by the Yorkshire Ambulance Service Charity, the Day was organised in partnership with the British Heart Foundation who supplied free Call Push Rescue training kits (including manikins and a tutorial DVD) to participating schools /colleges as part of its Nation of Lifesavers campaign), the Resuscitation Council (UK), St John Ambulance and other partners.
The life-saving initiative, pioneered in Yorkshire, has this year been adopted by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation to encourage mass CPR training on a global scale under a World Restart a Heart Day banner. Participating countries include America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, India and as well as many European countries.
Currently in the UK, less than one (8.6%) in ten people survive a cardiac arrest. If we achieved the same survival rates of countries like Norway (25%), where CPR is taught in schools, an additional 100 lives could be saved each week - the equivalent of approximately 5,000 every year.
Travel and Tourism student Aaron Ridsdel said: "I really enjoyed the session and picked up some new skills. I have had some experience in the past with CPR so it was good to recap some things I had forgotten."
Jason Carlyon, Clinical Development Manager for Yorkshire Ambulance Service, who helped to organise the event, said: “CPR is a simple, easy intervention that can save the lives of patients in cardiac arrest. In 2017-18, 43% of cardiac arrest incidents in Yorkshire were witnessed by a non-clinician who could potentially have started CPR. Community CPR events like Restart a Heart Day are essential so we can provide as many people as possible with this life-saving skill.”
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