WATCH: Bid to train every school child in Leeds with life-saving CPR skills

Around 900 volunteers will visit 129 secondary schools across Yorkshire today (Monday 16th October) to teach CPR which can double a patient’s chance of survival.

One in five people in Yorkshire and the Humber witness someone collapse who requires CPR.

18 per cent of people surveyed in Yorkshire and the Humber have witnessed someone collapse who needs CPR, according to new research funded by the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

The BHF warns that a lack of public knowledge of CPR could be costing lives according to new statistics released by the charity, that found 85% of people surveyed in Yorkshire and the Humber would be reluctant to perform CPR on cardiac arrest victims.

The main reasons for reluctance to step in were lacking the skills and knowledge to perform CPR (41 per cent) and fear of causing more harm than good (48 per cent). But experts warn that the benefits of performing CPR far outweigh any concerns because if you do nothing, the patient is likely to die.

Last year, YAS saved more cardiac arrest patients than ever before - 310 compared to 240 in 2015-16. And although survival rates have increased in Yorkshire over the last two years (9.3% in 2015-16 and 10.1% in 2016-17), statistics across the UK are still stubbornly low compared to countries like Norway (around 25%), where children learn CPR in schools.

One school taking part is Leeds West Academy where a Sixth Form student was resuscitated by the school’s first aid team after he suffered a cardiac arrest while playing football on 19 October last year.

Christian Wilcocks, Principal of Leeds West Academy, said: “Leeds West Academy is delighted to host and support Restart a Heart Day. Last year, our school community experienced first aid in action when one of our students required CPR, coupled with the use of our defibrillator. The actions of our first aid team on that day, armed with the critical knowledge of CPR, ensured that a young life was saved. The great ending to this story evidences how essential first aid is in our lives, and how imperative defibrillators are within our communities. Working with Yorkshire Ambulance Service, we hope to raise awareness of the vital life-saving skills which promote, preserve and protect the lives of us all.”

It is the fourth year that YAS has organised the event in conjunction with the British Heart Foundation, Resuscitation Council (UK) and St John Ambulance (over the last three years YAS has provided CPR training to 51,000 youngsters in Yorkshire). For the second time, our concept for Restart a Heart Day has been adopted by all UK ambulance trust ensuring that more than 150,000 youngsters learn this vital skill nationwide in one day! All ambulance services in Australia and New Zealand are also taking part for the first time – thanks to the life-saving initiative pioneered in Yorkshire.

A survey of people in Yorkshire and the Humber found:

'Difference between life and death'

Simon Gillespie, Chief Executive of the British Heart Foundation, said:

“CPR may be the difference between life and death for hundreds of people every year in Yorkshire and the Humber who suffer a cardiac arrest. Every second counts, and it simply isn’t enough to hope that someone who knows CPR is present.

“We need everyone in Yorkshire and the Humber to learn this life-saving skill to give them the confidence to step in and give CPR when someone collapses after a cardiac arrest.

“That’s why we are urging secondary schools across the UK to apply for our free training kits and help create a Nation of Lifesavers.”

Jason Carlyon, Clinical Development Manager for Yorkshire Ambulance Service, said: “CPR is a simple technique that everyone should learn because it could save someone’s life. If you witness a cardiac arrest, there is a high chance that the patient will be someone you love because most out-of-hospital instances occur in the home. The important thing to remember is that chest compressions should be carried out hard and fast for maximum effectiveness. Broken ribs are often a sign of effective CPR - would you rather someone survive with a broken rib or be dead? It's as simple as that."