Free defibrillator and CPR training being offered to communities across Devon

Vital defibrillator and CPR training is being offered to communities across Devon by South Western Ambulance Service.

The new scheme is being offered across the South West and invites communities to apply to learn CPR and how to use a defibrillator through free awareness sessions, to ensure more people can learn these lifesaving skills and give everyone the confidence to help save a life.

The sessions are delivered by SWASFT (South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust) community training volunteers and are now available for communities to request and will help bring lifesaving training directly into towns, villages and neighbourhoods.

READ NEXT: Life-saving defibrillator unveiled at Barnstaple Royal Mail depot

In the UK, only around one in 10 people survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. But when early CPR and a defibrillator are used within the first three to five minutes, survival rates can increase to as high as 70%. Despite this, 38% of UK adults have never received CPR training.

It is hoped the new community sessions will help change that by teaching people how to recognise cardiac arrest, perform effective CPR and use a defibrillator – giving them the confidence to act in those critical moments before ambulance crews arrive.

The sessions are interactive, practical and hands-on, with opportunity to practise CPR, use training defibrillators and ask questions in a supportive environment.

Hannah Butler, defibrillator project officer at SWASFT, said: “Those first few minutes after a cardiac arrest are absolutely crucial. By giving more people, the skills and confidence to perform CPR and use a defibrillator, we can dramatically improve someone’s chance of survival.

“Our community training volunteers are passionate about sharing these lifesaving skills. We want to work with everyone across the South West to make this training as accessible as possible, so more people are confident to step forward and help in an emergency.”

Community training volunteers are trained, supported and governed by SWASFT, with funding support from the South Western Ambulance Charity. While the training is free to communities, attendees are invited to make a voluntary donation to the charity, helping the service reach more communities and equip more people with lifesaving skills.

Community groups interested in hosting a session can find out more and submit a booking request via the SWASFT website at https://www.swast.nhs.uk/cpr-and-defibrillator-training

READ NEXT: RNLI lifeguards mark 25 years as they return to North Devon beaches for Easter