When a person suddenly collapses and stops breathing normally, quick ac on can mean the difference between life and death. Dialing 999, performing cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) are crucial steps that can save a life.
In support of the global “Restart a Heart” initiative on October 16th, the Guernsey Cardiac Ac on Group (CAG) is extending this effort into a full week of life-saving activities. From October 14th to 18th, CAG will provide FREE Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) CPR training sessions across the Bailiwick. This initiative, led by Community Resuscitation on Development Officer (CRDO) Mike Froome, aims to equip every member of the community with the skills and confidence to respond to cardiac emergencies.
Mike Froome highlighted the impact of bystander intervention, stating:
“When someone suffers a cardiac arrest, the role of a bystander can be crucial to saving a life and ensuring quality of life aerward. Immediate, hands-on CPR and using an AED before the ambulance arrives can significantly improve survival chances. This is why Restart a Heart Week is so important, and we are thrilled to collaborate with various community groups to train as many people as possible.”
The Bailiwick is home to over 150 strategically located PAD sites, accessible to the public in emergencies. These PADs can be located by calling 999. To ensure these devices are always ready, CAG has enlisted 260 volunteer Guardians who check them every two weeks using a Smart App monitoring system, with support from the CRDO and G4S. This system ensures the readiness of PAD sites, giving the community peace of mind.
John Greenfield, a cardiac arrest survivor, shared his story to emphasise the value of CPR and defibrillator training:
“Knowing what to do when someone collapses and stops breathing normally can be the difference between a life lost and a life saved. I experienced this firsthand—my friends recognised I was in cardiac arrest and immediately started CPR while someone else called 999 and retrieved the code for a nearby PAD site. Thanks to their quick actons, I am here today, back to full-time work and enjoying life with my family.”
The goal of the week-long event is to empower more individuals with the confidence to perform CPR and use a defibrillator, ensuring our community is prepared to take acton when it matters most. For more informaton on partcipatng in the free CPR training sessions which are being offered throughout the week or to learn more about PAD sites across the Bailiwick, please visit our website and booking button on our homepage – www.cag.org.gg if you have further questons please email info@cag.org.gg.