How to Save a Life

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How to Save a Life

Figures from a 2017 report show that just 8 per cent of patients survive a cardiac arrest in England, and less than half (30-40%) of bystanders are likely to intervene when they see someone collapse. These are worrying figures, and yet it's difficult to step forward to help if you don't know what to do. There's a fear of making things worse, or even getting in the way if someone else has more experience and is better able to help. MKC Training's Engineering Divisional Manager Peter Conn recently witnessed a heart failure:

It started as a normal day, but turned into a life changing event" said Peter.

On Friday 1st February, the Royal Engineers were playing a football match when a spectator was taken ill in the stands.

Assistance was needed – and fast!

Peter was able to assess the situation and quickly realised that the man was not breathing and had a very shallow pulse. Calling on his previous military training, Peter started administering CPR to try and restart the spectator's heart. The emergency services were called and arrived around 15-20 minutes later. Throughout this time, Peter and his colleagues continued to carry out CPR even though the person remained unconscious and unresponsive.

Once the emergency services arrived, they took over the situation and administered professional care, which included more CPR and two blasts of electric shock treatment.

The patient was taken to hospital, was operated on and was placed in an induced coma for over a week. It is a wonderful epilogue that he made a sterling recovery and is already back to doing what he loves best, watching football.

Peter recalls the event:

My military training was of huge benefit when asked to help; instinct just took over. You never know if this training will be needed but it was reassuring to have the skills to help. CPR is quite straightforward to carry out and, once you've been taught the basics, it can have a massive impact if you are present when they are required."

Being able to act to save a life is a skill that holds a value beyond words. To help spread the confidence that's needed to do this, MKC Training runs half-day Automated External Defibrillator (AED) courses to teach attendees how to use a defibrillator as swiftly as possible, and with full confidence, in the event of a serious emergency. The course costs just £65, with discounts available for group bookings.

Contact MKC to ensure that you and your staff build the confidence needed to use an AED and save a life.


What is CPR?
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is a lifesaving procedure that is given to someone who is in cardiac arrest. A cardiac arrest causes a person to fall unconscious and stop breathing so, without CPR, a person will die within minutes. It is carried out by performing chest compressions (using the heel of the hand to push down on the breastbone) at a rate of approximately 100 compressions per minute (or in time with Vinnie Jones' Staying Alive) taking over the role of the heart and lungs by pumping blood and oxygen around their body.

Resuscitation to Recovery

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