You could save a life: The real impact of learning CPR

When writing this, my sister told me to tell you my age. I won’t do that, but I will tell you that I was in my forties, with no previous heart problems when I suffered a cardiac arrest and nearly died. It can genuinely happen to anyone, young or old. I was extremely lucky as the paramedics were in the room when it happened to me, and I’m only here today because of CPR.

I was shocked to learn that only 8% of people survive a cardiac arrest if they’re not already in a hospital. The knowledge of how to do CPR is invaluable and could save a life. I’m testament to this. At Cranfield, first aiders are trained to do CPR, but what happens if they are not there?

Every two minutes that a heart stops beating, the brain function diminishes. CPR enables time for a defibrillator to be found and administered. As they say, every second counts!

My heart stopped beating for 15 minutes.  Things won’t be the same again for me, but I have been told I have made an amazing recovery. You can make that possible for someone else.  You never know when you might need it.

I have organised the wonderful East of England Air Ambulance to come to Cranfield campus on 21 August 2025 to do a CPR training session.  They will teach you how to do essential CPR and how to use a defibrillator.  Session can be booked via DATES.

Please read on to learn more about cardiac arrests and the importance of CPR and defibrillator training.

What is a cardiac arrest?

A cardiac arrest is when your heart suddenly stops pumping blood around your body. Although it’s sometimes mistaken for a heart attack, a cardiac arrest is different.

A heart attack is a circulation problem with the heart and the person having one is usually conscious and breathing. A cardiac arrest is an electrical problem, and the person will be unconscious and not breathing. A heart attack can lead to a cardiac arrest so medical treatment for both is essential.

While 80% of people who suffer a heart attack survive, you might be shocked to hear that only 8% of those who have a cardiac arrest survive. Many of these are left with long term disabilities.

Fast recognition and treatment of a cardiac arrest is essential for survival.

CPR and defibrillation

The chain of survival is a series of time-sensitive actions and interventions taken in the event of a cardiac arrest to give somebody the best chance of survival and recovery from this life-threatening medical emergency.

The out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rate in the UK is around 8% if only resuscitation/CPR is attempted. However, if a defibrillator is used alongside effective CPR within the first 3-5 minutes, the chances of survival can increase to between 40% – 70%.

Bystanders have a vital part to play by starting the chain of survival as soon as possible.

• Early access and recognition:
  Being able to recognise someone is in cardiac arrest and calling 999 for an ambulance is the first step to helping them.
• Early CPR:
  Performing continuous chest compressions to circulate blood to the brain. However, if you are trained to do so perform 30 compressions to 2 breaths to ensure oxygen reaches the brain until a defibrillator arrives.
• Early defibrillation:
  Being confident in using a defibrillator to restart someone’s heart is vital. For every minute that the patient is left without defibrillation, their chances of survival decrease by 10%.

It can be daunting to follow these essential steps, so it is important to learn what to do.  Please join me on 21 August 2025 to learn how you could help save a life.

Reserve your spot today via DATES: Community CPR defibrillator training