Simple life-saving tips offered across the Isle

John Armson from Humberside Fire and Rescue by the new defibrillator that has been installed at Crowle Fire Station

Just two hours of your time could mean you are the one who is able to step in swiftly to act when someone near you suffers a sudden heart attack. Do you have the knowledge now to save a life?

Isle instructor John Armson has stepped in to help make sure as many people as possible do know what to do when faced with a casualty who urgently requires some help.

New Automated External Defibrillators have been placed in cabinets outside Epworth and Crowle fire stations, and John is keen to teach people exactly how they should be used. A series of successful training sessions have already taken place at Epworth, with a great response from ready-to-learn local people.

John heads the new Heartstart programmes that will run in evenings throughout December in Crowle, and are open to everyone.

He said: “Heartstart provides simple skills that really do save lives. Part of the training highlights the chain of survival and why it is essential that early access to the casualty, and intervention with treatment using the simple skills and early use of an AED, maximises survivability.”

He continued: “Where a casualty is in cardiac arrest, for every minute they are untreated their survivability reduces by 10 per cent. However, if someone carries out CPR straight away this increases their survivability by approximately five per cent.

“When an AED is also used their survivability increases to 80 per cent and this is why HFRS, EMAS and HFR Solutions are all promoting this vital programme.”

The easy-to-understand training also covers the initial actions and treatment for an unconscious casualty who is breathing normally, a casualty who is choking and one who has a serious bleed.

John added: “The training takes two hours, it is free to all and as above provides simple skills in basic life support. It buys time for the casualty until help from the Emergency Services arrives.”

Funding for the essential defibrillators and training sessions was raised through the Isle’s Rescue Day held at the 7 Lakes Country Park, the Extreme Challenge, and by Community Interest Company HFR Solutions. Cabinets and AED’s were bought to furnish all fire stations within North and North East Lincolnshire.

Defibrillators have been put to great use in public areas as awareness of them increases. They are basically devices that give the heart an electric shock when someone’s heart has stopped. They can be used safely on children over one year old and adults.Crowle training takes place from 7pm to 9pm on the following dates; December 2, 9, 16 and 23. For more information call 07940737115.