Today on October 16th, the first edition of World Restart a Heart is taking place to promote bystander CPR worldwide. This initiative, sponsored by the International Committee on Resuscitation and initially conceived by the European Resuscitation Council, focuses on Hands-Only CPR training and the importance of immediate action to help save more lives from cardiac arrest.
Global bystander CPR rates range from five to 80 percent. Research shows that CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim's chance of survival.
In the United Kingdom, for example, events will be hosted in schools, community centers, hospitals and many other locations to train people in essential skills to become the lifesavers of the future. A partnership led by the UK Resuscitation Council involving the British Heart Foundation, St John Ambulance, British Red Cross, Yorkshire Ambulance Service and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue will once again coordinate activity involving every UK Ambulance service and many medical schools. These events will aim to train a record-breaking 200,000 people with the skills and confidence to help save a life.
In the U.S., the American Heart Association (AHA) has added World Restart a Heart to their "recognition list" and training events will take place around World Restart a Heart Day. In addition, the AHA Mobile Hands-Only CPR Trailer will travel across five states (Washington, Nevada, California, Arizona, and Texas) over a period of six consecutive calendar weeks this fall for a total of 21 events. AHA trains about 5,000 people through its Mobile Tour. Annually, AHA trains about 6.6 million people in Hands-Only CPR.
SaveMIHeart in Michigan is promoting World Restart A Heart alongside the State Health Department and many other organizations. Their goal is to reach a 60 percent bystander CPR rate by 2022.
For more information, click here.
See related editorial in Lancet here.
SOURCE: ILCOR