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Restart a Heart with @FHFTRapidRT

11 October 2022

Next week is Restart a Heart Day. Created to raise awareness of the importance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and how after an out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest, it can mean the difference between life and death.

Unfortunately, the survival rate still remains low - 1 in 10 - due to the lack of opportunity to learn this key lifesaving skill. Every year more than 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (80% of which are in the home) occur in the UK, where every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces the chance of survival by up to 10%.

To raise awareness, our rapid response critical care team will be at the main entrance at Wexham Park Hospital on Sunday 16 October from 3pm-4pm and at the main entrance of Frimley Park Hospital on Monday 17 October from 3pm-4pm. They will be talking to patients about the importance of CPR and showcasing what an automated external defibrillator (AED) looks and sounds like and will have mannequins to try CPR on that give real-time feedback on how effective your CPR is.

Why CPR?

Anyone can be affected by a sudden cardiac arrest at any time, and without intervention, the person will quickly die.

When someone collapses and stops breathing normally, it is important to quickly call 999, perform CPR and use a defibrillator. This gives the person their best chance of survival. If reluctant or unable to do rescue breaths, hands-only CPR will still give the person the same chance.

Be confident to intervene! Everyone in every community has a role to play in the chain of survival, whether it’s by calling 999, doing chest compressions, locating a defibrillator, retrieving it or by telling others what to do.

How to administer CPR

A cardiac arrest is when someone’s heart suddenly stops beating and their breathing is abnormal or has stopped. Without quick action, the person will die. Check for danger then immediately follow these simple steps to give the person their best chance of survival:

  1. Shout for help and shake them gently.
  2. Look and listen for signs of normal breathing. Look for the rise and fall of their chest.
  3. Call 999. Put the phone on loudspeaker and tell them you are with someone who is not breathing.
  4. The ambulance call handler will tell you where the nearest automated external defibrillator (AED) is. If someone is with you, ask them to fetch it and bring it back. Do not leave the person if you are on your own.
  5. Start chest compressions by:
  • Interlocking your fingers
  • Place your hands in the centre of the chest
  • Push down hard and then release twice per second, and don’t stop. The ambulance call handler will help you. If reluctant or unable to do rescue breaths, hands only CPR will still give the person the same chance of survival.
  1. If you have a defibrillator, switch it on and follow the instructions. It will tell you exactly what to do.
  2. Continue CPR until:
  • The AED asks you to pause while it reanalyses and gives another shock if needed
  • A paramedic arrives and tells you what to do
  • The person shows signs of life