The difference between a life lost and a life saved

Saturday 03 October 2020

The Guernsey Cardiac Action Group will be hosting free CPR and defibrillator demonstrations this month to teach islanders how to ‘restart a heart’.

When someone collapses and stops breathing normally, hand-only CPR and the use of a defibrillator (AED) while waiting for 999 assistance can be critical in saving a life; without intervention, a cardiac arrest can quickly kill.

For this reason, CAG have recruited professional ambulance staff how to correctly administer CPR and use AED equipment at multiple venues around Guernsey from 12-17 October.

Mike Froome, Community Resuscitation Development Officer, has organised the week-long event to ensure all sections of the community have the hands-on experience, knowledge and skills to help save a life if they ever need to.

“The bystander’s involvement is crucial in saving a life, and the quality of that life,” he said. “Immediate CPR and use of an AED while you are waiting for the emergency services to arrive makes a difference.”

Pictured: Administering CPR before an ambulance arrives can be the difference that saves a life; the CAG are hosting a number of free events to make sure that islanders have the skills and confidence needed.

Following guidance from Resuscitation Council UK, the events will be teaching hands-only CPR to mitigate fears of Covid-19 infection. Mr Froome added that the “getting hands on before the paramedics arrive gives the patient the best change of life, while reducing the risk of infection to the rescuer.”

Chief Ambulance Officer Mark Mapp said there have been a number of recent cases where a cardiac arrest has been identified, and bystanders have initiated CPR while another dials 999.

This includes an occasion last summer where the quick-thinking of two off-duty health care workers saved the life of a man working behind the bar at the Belgrave Wanderers clubhouse. 

Another high-profile case saw bystanders at Les Cotils save the life of a 57-year-old who collapsed suddenly in the conservatory. 

“It can be the difference between a life lost and a life saved,” he said. “Doing CPR and using an AED are simple but life-saving skills which we believe everyone in the community should learn and not be afraid of using.”

Some of the events are already fully booked, but spaces remain for some which are detailed below. If you would like to book a place, you can either call 07781 129539, or email info@cag.org.gg. 

Pictured Top: Guernsey's Lieutenant-Governor attending a previous event held by the Cardiac Action Group.