On Tuesday (18th October), thousands of young people around the UK and right here on the Isle of Wight will be given the opportunity to learn how to help restart the heart of someone who has suffered a cardiac arrest. With the support of the British Heart Foundation, St John Ambulance and The British Red Cross, along with all regional NHS Ambulance Services, the aim nationally is to train more than 100,000 young people how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on the day.
In 2014/15 there were 5,568 people who had been diagnosed with coronary heart disease (CHD) on the Isle of Wight. Based upon Health Survey for England results applied to this area, the total number of expected CHD cases is likely to be around 9,100.
Early mortality (under 75 years) rates from coronary heart disease are significantly lower than the national rate and they have decreased by 42% since 2004-06. Getting treatment quickly is important for serious heart attack, where the coronary artery is blocked. A heart attack can lead to a Cardiac arrest; training Islanders how to perform CPR and use a defibrillator can help reduce unnecessary premature death.
The Isle of Wight NHS Ambulance Service will be offering free CPR and Defibrillator awareness sessions at the Isle of Wight College Sports Hall on Tuesday 18th October between 10:30-15:30. Members of the public are welcome and Year 10 and 11 students have been invited to attend the day through their schools.
Having the knowledge to potentially save a life is something that cannot be underestimated and this is a wonderful opportunity to learn a skill for life. Involving Islanders (including young people) in health care is an important part of the My Life a Full Life programme.
The Isle of Wight Ambulance Service have also written to Island Primary schools and businesses to ask for their help towards making our Island a safer place to live by holding a mufti day and wear something Red on Tuesday 18th October in aid of the Isle of Wight Community Defibrillators. All funds will be gratefully received by the Isle of Wight NHS Ambulance Service and will be wholly used to support this initiative.
If you would like more information, contact the Isle of Wight Ambulance Training and Community Response Services (ATCoRS) on 01983 534111 or email [email protected].
To be prepared for a medical emergency; find your nearest defibrillator on the Isle of Wight by visiting: www.heartsafe.org.uk (please note this website frequently changes due to new defibrillators being placed in the community).
