Saving Lives at Work: FRFA's Heart Month Initiative in Birmingham

This year, First Response First Aid (FRFA) took the initiative by hosting a special event at our new Birmingham office, where we offered free AED and CPR demonstrations to all the workers who use the office building. We partnered with The British Heart Foundation, our goal was to ensure that everyone in the workplace knows how to respond during a cardiac emergency.

The Importance of CPR and AED Training

Did you know that in the UK, over 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur each year, with the survival rate for those experiencing a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital being only 1 in 10. 

Taking immediate action, such as performing CPR and using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), can significantly increase the chances of survival. Unfortunately, a large percentage of the population does not have the knowledge or skills about how to react in these critical situations. This is why it’s important to provide people with the knowledge and skills necessary to save lives.

During our session, Dan Pedley, one of our first aid trainers, taught participants how to perform CPR. Dan and the team made the sessions interactive, ensuring attendees practised the techniques in a supportive environment. By the end of the day, everyone felt more empowered to act swiftly in the event of a real emergency.

CPR and AED Tips

Knowing how to respond in a cardiac emergency can be the difference between life and death. Here are some crucial tips we shared with participants:

• Call for help immediately: In a cardiac arrest situation, dial 999 for emergency services.
• Start chest compressions. With the heel of your hand in the centre of their chest, press down smoothly and firmly at a rate of 2 per second. When performing CPR, try pushing to the beat of Stayin’ Alive by the Bee Gees will help give you the correct rhythm and pace. 
• Use a defibrillator as soon as you can. Follow its instructions carefully while you continue to give CPR. It can deliver life saving shocks that help restart the heart.
• Stay calm: Keep a clear mind and focus on following the steps. 

For all your CPR and AED training, speak to our team or book a course online today.