~ Calls for secondary schools in Wales to register for free innovative CPR training kit

Simon Hart MP is urging people to join the campaign to dramatically increase the number of local people trained in life-saving CPR and help create a Nation of Lifesavers.

More than 30,000 people suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the UK every year – 80% of which occur in the home, often in front of family members and loved ones.

But fewer than one in ten people survive, partly because not enough people have the skills and confidence to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

British Heart Foundation (BHF) Wales says that the Nation of Lifesavers initiative could save around 5,000 additional lives a year in the UK, based on survival rates in countries like Norway (25%)where CPR training is mandatory in schools.

BHF Wales is calling for CPR and public access defibrillator (PAD) awareness to be taught in all local secondary schools and a recent survey showed 82% of people in the UK would be behind this move.

Since the launch of the campaign on October 16, more than 5,000 people have already signed the petition to make these skills part of the curriculum.

Simon Hart has pledged his support for the Nation of Lifesavers campaign and called on secondary schools and community groups in Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire to order their free Call Push Rescue Training Kit.

Mr Hart said: “Cardiac arrest survival rates in Wales fall way behind survival rates in other countries where CPR training is part of the curriculum.

“By joining the Nation of Lifesavers I want to see every child in Wales finish school equipped with the necessary skills to respond in a medical emergency.

“CPR is an important skill and just 30 minutes of training could save someone’s life.”

Simon Gillespie, BHF Chief Executive, said: “Too many lives are lost needlessly because people don’t have the basic CPR skills to act in life-threatening situations.

“We’re determined to radically improve the country’s shocking survival rates and mandatory training in secondary schools will go a long way towards that.

“We need every school, workplace, community group and individual to join the Nation of Lifesavers and help make Wales a safer place to live.”

*To help BHF Wales create a Nation of Lifesavers visit bhf.org.uk/lifesavers and sign our petition at bhf.org.uk/cprpetition

ENDS

Pic Cap: Simon Hart MP learns the basics of CPR to help launch the British Heart Foundation Wales’ campaign to make Wales a nation of lifesavers.

For more information please the BHF Wales on 028 9053 8301 or email murrayj@bhf.org.uk