PEDAIR AFON Ministry Area recently trialled a project which saw 35 individuals from two of the MA’s most deprived areas receive potentially life-saving training. 100% of participants reported an increased level of confidence to perform CPR and use a defibrillator following the training session.
This is particularly significant because people from lower socio-economic backgrounds are less likely to receive bystander CPR, have access to a defibrillator, and ultimately survive a cardiac arrest. The course was delivered free of charge by Rev’d Geraint John who volunteers as a Welsh Ambulance Service Community First Responder and is a qualified Basic Life Support Instructor. Most participants made a small donation to cover the costs of training materials and consumables but this was not a requirement.
Every year in Wales more than 6,000 people will have a cardiac arrest – when the heart stops suddenly – and many will die without some simple and easy-to-learn interventions. Research shows that early recognition of a cardiac arrest, effective CPR, and early defibrillation can more than double the chance of survival.
The Church in Wales has partnered with ‘Save a Life Cymru’ to help improve survival rates from out-of-hospital cardiac arrests by encouraging as many people as possible to become “resus ready”.
In the UK, 80% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen at home and with every minute that passes between the onset of a cardiac arrest and commencement of CPR, the chance of survival decreases by 10%. It is hoped that as many people as possible throughout our diocese will take some time to learn the basics of resuscitation so we can help to build resilient communities and provide help in an emergency should the need arise.
Rev’d Geraint said: “This is a really important initiative which can help the local church to engage with, and play an active role in building resilient communities.
“Research has shown that, when a cardiac arrest happens, there is a significant increase in survival rates when CPR is started promptly and a defibrillator arrives on scene quickly. With 80% of cardiac arrests happening at home, those who learn CPR could potentially save the life of a loved one or neighbour.
“First aid training is an act of love in action—caring for our neighbour as Christ commanded.”
It is now hoped that more people from across the Diocese of Llandaff will take up training.
