Bracknell BID funded and hosted a Basic Life Support Awareness Training Course at Regus, Arlington Square on Thursday 23rd May 2024, led by the South Central Ambulance Charity, designed to give people in the workplace the skills and confidence to save a life.
Attendees from BID area businesses were given theoretical and practical training over the two-hour session, learning how to recognize a cardiac arrest using a primary survey with the easy to remember acronym DR ABC (Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation).
Attendees were then taught how to perform cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), as well as a chance to practice on mannequins. Chris volunteers as a local Community First Responder with the South Central Ambulance Charity, he gave attendees valuable tips and improvements on chest compressions using a digital monitoring system that gave feedback on how adequate their CPR is and ways to improve.
Attendees were also instructed on the proper utilisation of an automated external defibrillator (AED). This device is designed to assist individuals facing sudden cardiac arrest by assessing the heart’s rhythm and, if required, administering an electric shock or defibrillation to restore an effective heart rhythm. Chris showcased how simple the defibrillators are to operate with no prior training, as the device guides users through each step.
The Training Course also gave attendees a chance to learn the recovery position with theoretical and practical training, and how to treat an unresponsive casualty. Attendees were also given an insight into how to perform CPR effectively and given a certificate upon completion of the session.
Chris gave advice and guidance to the Business Life Saver on how to reflect after delivering life saving support, giving an insight into their volunteering role as Community First Responders, attending emergency incidents in the local areas before emergency services arrive. Attendees were also given a leaflet the BID has produced, detailing a comprehensive map of defibrillators across the BID area and their accessibility. To view and download the leaflet, click here.
These courses are hosted by the South Central Ambulance Charity, a charity that raises funds to support South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust. The BID would like to thank Chris, the South Central Ambulance Service and Regus for hosting and catering.
If your business would like to get involved in future Basic Life Support Awareness Training Courses, let the BID team know by emailing enquiries@bracknellbid.co.uk
According to the South Central Ambulance Service, less than one in ten people in the UK survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Two of the biggest factors contributing to this low number are that there aren’t enough people prepared to perform CPR when someone has a cardiac arrest, and that there aren’t enough defibrillators available across the UK.
Bracknell BID is helping to make the business community a safer place by addressing both issues, hosting regular Basic Life Support Awareness Training Courses for workers in the area, as well as funding and installing publicly accessible defibrillators within the area alongside navigation signage to raise awareness of the locations. For more information regarding the six BID funded publicly accessible defibrillators and their locations, click here.
