AMBULANCE services are joining forces to raise awareness for World Restart a Heart Day.

West Midlands ambulance and air ambulance staff have joined the campaign run by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and Resuscitation Council aims to train as many children as possible in CPR, so they have the ability to use this lifesaving skill should be need it.

Each year, West Midlands Ambulance Service attends up to 4,000 out of hospital cardiac arrests, with Midlands Air Ambulance Charity supporting the service at 1,000 of those incidents.

The BHF highlights that if a person suffers an out of hospital cardiac arrest in the UK, they have less than a one in ten chance of surviving.

Equally, for every minute after the patient’s heart has stopped, their chance of survival drops by ten per cent.

Ian Roberts, air operations manager for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, said: “When dealing with someone who has gone into cardiac arrest, time is of the essence as they’re effectively not receiving oxygen to their vital organs, including the brain.

“When we arrive at the scene of a cardiac arrest, by ambulance, air ambulance or the critical care car, those who are likely to survive are the ones who are already receiving CPR, either by a bystander, friend or loved one.”

Cliff Medlicott,West Midlands Ambulance Service community response manager, said: “By training children at school that CPR is easy to do we make sure that they aren’t afraid should it ever happen to a loved one of theirs, but we also stress that they need to act immediately.

“We know that many of the children go home and tell their parents about what they have been up to and they in turn learn the skills which increases the chances of someone surviving.”

To get involved in World Restart A Heart Day, call 01384 215 810 to find your nearest CPR course taking place on Tuesday, October 16.

For more information on Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, visit midlandsairambulance.com, and for further detail on West Midlands Ambulance Service, visit wmas.nhs.uk.