CAMPAIGN UPDATE

Cardiac Arrest is the most common reason for the Devon Air Ambulance emergency crews to be called out to help. In 2021 we were called to 315 patients suffering a Cardiac Arrest and in 2022 this rose to 360. The national statistics are quite alarming, with only one in ten people surviving a Cardiac Arrest out of hospital, this number is reduced even further if the patient receives no help from a bystander.

With this in mind and following our initial trial holding CPR and defibrillator training sessions in five locations last year, we are thrilled that we have been able to hold a further five training days this year, training a total of 650 people in just 10 days with the lifesaving skills required to be able help someone who may be suffering a cardiac arrest.

In November 2022 our ‘Help with all your Heart’ Campaign was recognised by Air Ambulances UK and we were very proud to accept a wonderful award for ‘Campaign of the Year’ despite some tough competition across the air ambulance community. Since then, the positive results and ongoing work with this

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Chain of Survival

campaign saw us shortlisted as finalists in the recent Exeter Living awards. Sadly, we were not the overall winners, but were still incredibly proud to be there and for our work to be recognised once again.

So far in 2023, we have held further CPR & Defibrillator training sessions in Alphington, Kingsbridge, Tavistock, Colebrooke and Sidmouth which were all very well attended by those in the local community and further afield!

These lifesaving sessions were once again presented by our Specialist Paramedics in Critical Care who answered many questions, putting many minds at rest and ironing out a few misunderstandings about defibrillators too.

We have received fantastic feedback from those who attended and are so pleased that we have been able to share our knowledge and expertise. It is a proven fact that the outcome for someone in Cardiac Arrest is much improved if a bystander has stepped in to help by doing CPR and / or is able to use a defibrillator before emergency services arrive.

Our huge thanks to Charles at Alphington Village Hall, Fred at Colebrooke Village Hall, Martin at Kingsbridge RFC and Clare at Sidmouth RFC who were fantastic hosts and kindly offered their premises Free of Charge enabling us to save lifesaving funds for our operational activity. Thanks also to Georgia at Petroc College where we were invited to hold some CPR & defib training sessions back in February for Students at the Barnstaple campus.

Our CPR & Defib training will return later in the year as our crew now begin to prepare for a busy Summer season ahead. 