Restart a Heart Day

Whether it's a stroke, cardiac arrest or a heart attack (yes, they're all different!), having the basic knowledge and skills of heart resuscitation really can make a difference. On 16th October, it's Restart a Heart Day. The day aims to raise awareness about cardiac arrest and help people learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and gain the confidence to use lifesaving skills.

Why is Restart a Heart Day important?

Restart a Heart Day takes place annually and brings together those who work to teach CPR and raise awareness around cardiac arrest, including:

• The Resuscitation Council UK
• The British Heart Foundation
• British Red Cross
• St John Ambulance
• The Association of Ambulance Chief Executives
• NHS England
• Save a Life for Scotland
• Save a Life Cymru
• Northern Ireland Ambulance

In 2018, these amazing organisations trained 291,000 people in CPR through Restart a Heart Day. Now that the British Heart Foundation has introduced RevivR, their new 15-minute CPR training tool, 2022, is set to be even better.

So, why does awareness about cardiac arrest and lifesaving skills need to be raised?

Recent figures reveal that in the UK, around 30,000 cardiac arrests happen every year outside of hospital. Approximately 80% of these occur in the home. What’s worse is that less than 1 in 10 people survive.

However, in many cases, being able to perform CPR on someone suffering cardiac arrest more than doubles their chances of survival. Even if you don't have the confidence or skills to perform CPR, recognising the symptoms when someone collapses and stops breathing, calling 999 and using a defibrillator gives that person the best chance possible.

Opportunities to learn CPR

Anyone can get involved with Restart a Heart Day. This includes a workplace, a community group, a school or nursery, a café, bar or restaurant, or someone that has experienced the trauma of seeing a family member or friend suffer cardiac arrest.

There are several ways:

• Learn CPR with RevivR - the British Heart Foundation's RevivR training is completely free and takes just 15 minutes of your time. All anyone needs is a cushion and a smartphone. Ultimately, you will not only know the basics of how to help someone suffering cardiac arrest, but you can also apply to receive your personal RevivR certificate. Why not get your staff together and train them on RevivR at the same time?
• Run a CPR training course - the British Heart Foundation works with many organisations, community groups and schools to help them run CPR training courses. Order a CPR training kit and visit the British Heart Foundation's website to learn more.
• Order a Call Push Rescue training kit - the British Heart Foundation supplies Call Push Rescue training kits free to schools to encourage everyone to learn about CPR and lifesaving skills. The kit has all you need to run a CPR training session, including a training DVD, posters to remind everyone about CPR and raise awareness, and reusable manikins.

All the above organisations can help with CPR and lifesaving skills training, whether you're a business, community group or an individual.

CPR awareness tools and resources

By law, businesses and community groups such as after-school clubs, Scouts and Brownies, are required to ensure a fully trained first aider is present. With this requirement, there is also the need to have certain CPR and lifesaving equipment available for training and use in emergencies.

Many tools and resources are available, so let's look at some of the most important equipment.

• Little Anne CPR training manikin - a key part of a first aid course is learning CPR. Being able to perform CPR on someone who has stopped breathing and whose heart is not beating correctly is a technique that can save their life. The Little Anne CPR training manikin is one of the easiest ways to learn the technique. It is easy to use and keep clean and is stored in its carry case. Also available are the Little Junior and Baby Anne versions, two different sizes for children.
• AED Training Defibrillator - training defibrillator simulators are used to teach people how to use a defibrillator in administering an electric shock to get a cardiac arrest sufferer's heart beating again.
• First Aid Manual - no workplace, community group, school or even home should be without a First Aid manual. The 11th edition of St John Ambulance's first aid manual, produced in collaboration with St Andrew's Ambulance and the British Red Cross, is packed full of their first aid techniques and best practices.
• Defibrillators - these come in all shapes and sizes, some of which are automatic while others are semi-automatic; these require a greater level of knowledge and skill to use. Some defibrillators are specifically designed for use in harsher or outdoor conditions, such as the Philips HeartStart FRX semi-automatic defibrillator. Alternatively, the Zoll AED Plus Fully Automatic Defibrillator is designed for people with little to no lifesaving experience or minimal training.

ESE Direct provides a wide range of first aid equipment and resources to ensure your workplace, community group, school, or home is properly equipped should a medical emergency occur. We have first aid kits for offices, homes and cars, metal lockable first aid cabinets and defibrillator storage boxes that are alarmed and can be wall-mounted. We also supply accessories for Lifepak AED or Philips HeartStart defibrillators and Padz for Zoll AED Plus defibrillators.

At ESE Direct, we specialise in supplying health and safety equipment and first aid kit resources to businesses of all sizes. With over 40 years of experience, we can help you ensure your first aid supplies are up to date and contain everything you need.