Learn how to ‘Restart a Heart’ in the South West this October with the ambulance service

This October, the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) is inviting people across the South West to take part in free community events.

Led by Resuscitation Council UK, this will give locals the opportunity to learn lifesaving CPR as part of the annual Restart a Heart (RSAH) initiative.

From Monday 13 to Sunday 19 October, paramedics, emergency care assistants, volunteer community first responders, and colleagues from the Volunteering & Community Services team at SWASFT will deliver free, hands-on training sessions at venues across the region.

To raise awareness of cardiac arrest and equip people with the confidence and skills to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use a defibrillator, participants will have the chance to watch demonstrations, practice on manikins, and learn how to locate and use the device in an emergency. By learning these simple techniques, members of the public can play a vital role in improving survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.

Everyone who completes a 15-minute CPR session will receive a certificate – but it is encouraged to do as much as you can – because even a few minutes spent learning from the team will help towards increasing survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests across the South West.

Each year, around 100,000 people in the UK suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest – that’s approximately 250 people every day. Sadly, fewer than one in ten survive. Immediate CPR and defibrillation are critical, as for every minute without intervention reduces the chance of survival by 10%.

Volunteering and Community Services Officer at SWASFT, Dave Wilmot, said: “Every minute matters when someone suffers a cardiac arrest, and knowing what to do can make the difference between life and death. A simple act like starting CPR or using a defibrillator can more than double a person’s chances of survival.

“With 80% of cardiac arrests happening at home, it could be a friend or family member who urgently needs your help.

“Through Restart a Heart, we want to give people across our communities the skills and confidence to step in during those critical moments. These events are a chance for anyone to learn how to save a life, and we’re looking forward to welcoming people of all ages to get involved.”