Public get lessons in live-saving
ISLANDERS got the chance to learn life-saving techniques in the Town as part of Restart a Heart Day.
Passers-by in St Peter Port took part in CPR and Automated Electrical Defibrillator demonstrations conducted by St John Ambulance Guernsey alongside the Cardiac Action Group yesterday in Market Square.
One local who took part in the demonstration was John MacDonald, 65, who said it was an essential skill to learn.
‘I told myself this was something I had to learn how to do,’ he said.
‘Especially because I have a six-year-old grandson and I want to know what to do if that situation ever arose.
‘It’s hard work, you don’t realise how hard you have to push, but everybody should learn what to do because you never know when you might need to use it.’
Paramedics from the emergency ambulance service were on hand to provide the practical demonstrations, as well as advice and answering questions.
Paramedic Minoosh Eldridge said she was pleased with the turnout.
‘It’s good to see so many people come out and join in,’ she said.
‘This drop-in event is a good way for more people to be trained in life-saving CPR, it’s important and it’s good that other people know that too.’
Free one-hour sessions at community centres across the island have been running throughout the week, with three more today and two tomorrow.
St John emergency medical technician Jim Cathcart said yesterday’s event was being held in conjunction with the international Restart a Heart day, created to raise awareness that everyone can learn CPR.
‘This is the third year that we have been running this,’ he said.
‘Both St John Ambulance Guernsey and the Cardiac Action Group work together in order to provide locals the chance to pop in to learn the basics of CPR and how to use an AED.
‘The premise is to get people aware of what to do in those situations where they need to call an ambulance, use CPR or an AED, and starting chest compressions.
‘There are well-publicised cases of lives being saved using these methods.
‘We want to give confidence to people in what would be a terrifying situation and these methods, though simple, are effective.’
n For more information about the events happening across the island, visit https://stjohn.gg/news/6053.
