Why Is It Important to Learn CPR?
It’s easy to assume that CPR is best left to medical professionals, or that someone else will know what to do in an emergency. But when someone suffers a cardiac arrest, the actions of the people around them can make a massive difference.
Every year, thousands of people in the UK experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Sadly, survival rates remain low, and without immediate help, the chances of survival can fall rapidly.
The good news is that CPR is a skill that anyone can learn. You don’t need to be a medical professional or a qualified first aider to help someone in cardiac arrest and knowing what to do could give them a much better chance of survival.
Heart Attack and Cardiac Arrest: What’s the Difference?
The terms heart attack and cardiac arrest are sometimes used interchangeably, but they describe two different medical emergencies.
A heart attack happens when the blood supply to the heart muscle is cut off. One of the main causes of this is a clot in one of the coronary arteries. The heart will still be pumping blood around the body during a heart attack, and the person will usually be conscious and breathing.
A heart attack can lead to a cardiac arrest, as the risk of ventricular defibrillation is higher – this is when the heart fibrillates, or quivers, rather than pumps.
A cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood effectively around the body. This is often caused by a problem with the heart’s electrical system. The person will become unresponsive and will not be breathing normally.
A heart attack can lead to a cardiac arrest, making it particularly important to recognise the signs of both conditions.
If someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, call 999 immediately and start CPR. Follow the emergency call handler’s instructions.
What Is CPR?
CPR stands for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. It is an emergency procedure used when someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally.
CPR involves chest compressions and, where possible, rescue breaths. Chest compressions help circulate blood around the body, while rescue breaths provide oxygen.
Although CPR cannot guarantee survival, it can help keep vital organs supplied with blood and oxygen until emergency medical help arrives.
Why Is CPR So Important?
When someone suffers a cardiac arrest, early intervention is vital. Starting CPR promptly can help buy valuable time until an ambulance arrives.
Without effective circulation, the brain and other vital organs are deprived of oxygen. The longer the person goes without CPR and appropriate treatment, the lower their chances of survival.
You might feel nervous about helping someone in an emergency, particularly if you have never performed CPR before. However, doing something is far better than standing by and waiting for help to arrive.
If you are unsure what to do, call 999. The emergency call handler can talk you through the steps you need to take.
How Does CPR Help Someone in Cardiac Arrest?
CPR provides two important functions.
It helps keep blood circulating. Chest compressions manually pump blood around the body, helping to deliver oxygen to the brain, heart and other vital organs.
It helps supply oxygen. Rescue breaths introduce oxygen into the lungs, which can then be carried around the body through the bloodstream.
If you are not trained in rescue breaths or are unable to give them, start chest compressions and follow the 999 call handler’s instructions.
Why Is a Defibrillator Important?
You may have noticed defibrillators, also known as automated external defibrillators (AEDs), appearing in shopping centres, workplaces, sports facilities, schools and other public places.
These devices can play an important role in helping someone survive a cardiac arrest.
A defibrillator analyses the heart’s rhythm and, if appropriate, delivers an electrical shock to help restore a more normal rhythm. It will not deliver a shock unless one is needed, so you do not need to worry about making that decision yourself.
The device provides clear spoken instructions to guide you through the process and defibrillators have been designed so that anyone can use one.
CPR and early defibrillation work together to give someone in cardiac arrest the best possible chance of survival. If a defibrillator is available, ask someone to fetch it while you continue CPR, and follow its instructions.
Do I Need to Be a First Aider to Perform CPR?
No. You do not need a first aid qualification to perform CPR.
If someone collapses and is unresponsive and not breathing normally, call 999, start CPR and follow the emergency call handler’s instructions.
It is understandable to worry about doing something wrong, especially if you have never been in this situation before. However, taking action quickly can make a huge difference.
Who Should Learn CPR?
At Help! First Aid Training, we believe CPR is a valuable skill for everyone to learn.
You never know when someone around you might suffer a cardiac arrest. It could be a family member at home, a colleague at work, a friend at the gym or a stranger in a public place.
How Can I Learn CPR?
There are several ways to learn CPR, from online learning tools to practical, face-to-face training.
The British Heart Foundation's RevivR tool offers an accessible way to learn the basics of CPR online.
However, at Help! First Aid Training, we recommend face-to-face training wherever possible. Practical training gives you the opportunity to practise the technique, ask questions and receive feedback from an experienced instructor.
The benefits of face-to-face CPR training include:
Learning from an experienced instructor: Gaining guidance from someone who can explain the technique and answer your questions.
Hands-on practice: Practising chest compressions and, rescue breaths using training equipment.
Personal feedback: Having your technique assessed and corrected where necessary.
Building confidence: Practising in a supportive environment so you feel better prepared to act in a real-life emergency.
Learning alongside others: Sharing experiences, discussing different scenarios and learning from other participants.
Practising CPR on a training manikin helps you understand how the technique feels and gives you the opportunity to improve your skills.
Learn CPR with Help! First Aid Training
At Help! First Aid Training, we provide practical, engaging first aid courses designed to help people develop the skills and confidence to respond in an emergency.
Based in Shildon, County Durham, we deliver open first aid courses at our training facility and onsite group training for businesses and organisations across the North East of England.
CPR and the practical use of a defibrillator are covered in our open courses, including:
We also provide group training options that cover CPR and defibrillator use, including:
We cover Bishop Auckland to Billingham, Chester-le-Street to Consett, Stockton to Stanhope and everywhere in between.
Email: info@helpfirstaidtraining.co.uk
Call us: 01388 417303
Website: www.helpfirstaidtraining.co.uk
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