Cambridge event teaches lifesaving CPR and defibrillator skills
Health professionals say learning CPR can increase survival chances from less than 10% to 80% when a defibrillator is used, as they invite the public to free training sessions in Cambridge city centre today
A Restart a Heart Day event is being held today (16 October) at the Guildhall, Lion Yard and the Grand Arcade, led by Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with Magpas Air Ambulance, East Anglian Air Ambulance, the East of England Ambulance Service and Royal Papworth Hospital.
Frontline clinicians including paramedics, nurses, doctors and trained volunteers are offering drop-in sessions from 9am to 5pm for anyone who wants to learn CPR and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED).
Resuscitation officer Dan Shortland said: “Survival from cardiac arrest is low, with less than a 10% chance of surviving when it happens outside of hospital. Every minute without CPR reduces that chance by another 10%.”
He said the sessions aim to help people act with confidence. “We know 37% of people say they wouldn’t know what to do if someone was having a cardiac arrest, and only 11% feel confident using a defibrillator,” he said. “That’s why we’re out here today — to make sure people know that doing something is always better than doing nothing.”
Joshua Lawrence from East Anglian Air Ambulance said: “About 80% of cardiac arrests happen at home, so it’s more likely to be someone you love. It can be frightening, but the difference between life and death can be as simple as starting CPR straight away.”
He added: “CPR is like any skill — the more you practise, the more confident you’ll become. That’s what today is about: giving people a chance to learn and ask questions in a friendly, supportive environment.”
A live band will perform songs at 100–120 beats per minute — the rhythm needed for effective chest compressions — while emergency vehicles and clinicians will be on hand to speak to visitors throughout the day.