In 2018, 51% of our missions were medical and 49% trauma-related. Restarting the heart of a patient that has gone into cardiac arrest is often fundamental to both types of mission that we attend. 

The Restart a Heart campaign (RSAH) is an annual initiative led by the Rususitation Council (UK) in partnership with The British Heart Foundation, British Red Cross and St John Ambulance among others.

Devon Air Ambulance is joining colleagues across the world to enhance public awareness of cardiac arrests to increase the number of people seeking to become trained to deliver life-saving CPR.

The Restart a Heart campaign is a designated annual day of action with the aim to teach vital life-saving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills to as many people as possible. The South Western Ambulance Service is attending secondary schools across divisional areas to deliver such training over the fortnight around Wednesday 16 October, the awareness day itself.

Many other community groups, sports clubs and workplaces are also being encouraged to provide CPR training to those connected to such settings over the period. 

Why CPR training is important

Without CPR the chances of surviving cardiac arrest are zero, and with 30,000 cardiac arrests outside hospital in the UK every year*, charities and health organisations are keen to promote the message that accessing the CPR training can help increase the survival rate.

Thanks to a recent grant Devon Air Ambulance has plans to install defibrillators in all the locations occupied by the charity's shops, the head office and the warehouse. The availability of such kit within communities will help increase the chances of survival of anyone who falls unwell in that area. 

How can you support Restart a Heart Day?

If your school, workplace or community setting would like CPR training then do contact one of the above providers to find out more about training opportunities. 

You can also talk about the campaign on social media by sharing relevant posts with #WorldRestartAHeart and encourage people you know to get educated about how to deliver this essential lifesaving skill. 

We shall be talking about this campaign over the course of the week, so keep an eye on our social channels and share join in the conversation.