There are over 30,000 people who suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest every year in the UK, but shockingly less than one in ten currently survive. The effective use of early CPR and a defibrillator can double a person’s chance of survival and for every minute they don’t receive this help, their chances of survival are reduced by up to 10%. Around 80% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen at home, so we’re more likely to give CPR to someone we know, like a friend or family member. The importance of CPR and defibrillation skills in improving survival rates is the reason why the British Heart Foundation (BHF) has created the RevivR training tool. The BHF’s new online tool teaches you CPR and the correct steps of defibrillator use in just 15 minutes. It’s a web-based tool accessible on your phone or tablet and it’s completely free.
What is a cardiac arrest?
A cardiac arrest usually happens without warning. If someone is in cardiac arrest they collapse suddenly and will be unresponsive. They won’t be breathing normally and immediate action must be taken by calling 999 and starting CPR. According to the British Heart Foundation, a cardiac arrest is when your heart stops pumping blood around the body. The common cause of cardiac arrest is an “abnormal heart rhythm called ventricular fibrillation” which happens “when the electrical activity of the heart becomes so chaotic that the heart stops pumping. Instead, it quivers or ‘fibrillates”. The main causes include a heart attack, heart valve disease and inflammation of the heart muscle, also known as acute myocarditis.
CPR can double the chance of survival
Anyone can gain life-saving skills through the RevivR tool. All you need is 15 minutes and a firm cushion. A cardiac arrest can strike anyone at any time. By learning these skills you can help improve someone’s chance of survival. CPR involves pressing on the chest at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute to help keep the person alive until a defibrillator can be used.
The RevivR tool can give you the skills you need to save a life
The RevivR training tool has been created to improve the nation’s CPR and defibrillation skills. The training is easy, free and quick – you’ll just need a mobile phone and a cushion. In 15 minutes, the training tool teaches the user how to recognise a cardiac arrest, what to expect when calling 999, how to perform CPR and how to use a defibrillator.
Your phone camera will provide live feedback as you practice chest compressions. It will detect your body movement and guide you to the correct rhythm for giving effective CPR. You will also practice how to use a defibrillator following automated prompts.
Whether you haven’t had CPR training or just want to refresh your knowledge and skills, RevivR can give you the confidence to step in and save a life in an ultimate medical emergency.
Our partnership with the British Heart Foundation
The British Heart Foundation is a well-known charity that increases awareness of heart and circulatory diseases and their causes. From heart disease and strokes to vascular dementia and diabetes, the British Heart Foundation is consistently carrying out research to find cures and treatments for these conditions.
At Helping Hands, we are proud to partner with the British Heart Foundation in their 60th anniversary year and be a part of making a difference in people’s lives. These ground-breaking treatments are instrumental in allowing us to spend that extra time with our loved ones.
If you need a helping hand
If you or your loved one is living with a heart condition, vascular dementia, stroke, or diabetes we can help. At Helping Hands, we provide care at home on a visiting or live-in care basis. Our carers can help with every aspect of your daily routine including support with household duties, errands, mobility, personal care, and much more. We have over 160 branches across England and Wales, which means we have carers close to your home.
For more information, contact our friendly customer care team today or visit our Helping Hands website.