Learn CPR, it saves lives - campaign urges

"Check, call, compress" are the three responses that Citizens CPR advocate that you should take if someone collapses in your presence. Being able to act in a simple yet very meaningful way can make the difference between life and death. That is why the Pre Hospital Emergency Council and the Irish Heart Foundation are currently leading a nationwide drive to promote training in Citizens CPR and there is huge interest in it. The concept of Citizens CPR is not new and has been developed in the USA over the past three decades. The Citizens CPR Foundation was founded in the USA to provide valuable education and training for members of the general public in assisting those suffering from heart attack, stroke or serious injury. Supported by the American Heart Foundation, the American Red Cross and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, it is now making a real contribution to the saving of lives across the United States and Canada. The Pre Hospital Emergency Council is the statutory body which regulates standards for paramedics and advanced paramedics in the Republic of Ireland and with the Irish Heart Foundation is now to the fore in educating communities and individuals in the importance of a working knowledge of Citizens CPR. At local level John Heffernan is an instructor with STS Ireland and the Irish Heart Foundation. He provides training in Citizens CPR for the benefit of the general public, for those working in the health service and in other places of employment. John stresses the importance of people acting quickly when someone is taken suddenly ill. He says that the traditional teaching methods of CPR focused on applying mouth-to-mouth resuscitation first and then to initiate chest compressions. However, Citizens CPR recommend that you should do compressions-only CPR. "If somebody collapses in front of you the biggest fear you have is that you will not be able to do CPR correctly. If you do take on mouth-to-mouth resuscitation the chances are you will not do it right anyway. The average adult has six to seven minutes of oxygenated blood in their bodies and if compressions only CPR is commenced right away you can keep the brain oxygenated until help arrives," advises Mr. Heffernan. The theme of Citizens CPR, he explains, is "Check, call, compress". If you come across somebody who has collapsed check are they responsive. "If you don't get any response you should call the emergency services. Once you know the emergency services are on the way, you should start your compressions," he says. Citizens CPR is about making people aware that in such crisis situations you can take positive action. However, he recommends that as many people as possible receive CPR training in order to be comfortable when they are thrust into such emergencies. "Statistically speaking you are more likely to have to undertake CPR on someone close to you and there is a big emotional aspect in that as well; with some people although trained in CPR drawing a blank in such situations. If in those circumstances you can call the emergency services and start your compressions you may be able to keep the person alive until help comes. When the emergency services arrive or someone with a defibrillator the chances of the collapsed person surviving are greatly increased," says John. There is now a major push to train more people in the techniques of CPR and STS Ireland are running courses in Cavan in the very near future. As part of their campaign to train people how to react positively in such emergencies, STS Ireland are also providing training in paediatric first aid. This is important for parents of children who are often confronted with crisis situations during the course of the child rearing years. "Whether it is a piece of meat lodged in a child's throat, a broken bone or a serious head injury - such occurrences are frightening for parents and knowing the correct thing to do is vitally important. Engaging in a course on paediatric first aid is most useful for parents and those who work with children," he says. John Heffernan is also an instructor with the Irish Heart Foundation and runs courses for the foundation as well. He can be contacted at john@stsire.com