ST JOHN Ambulance is raising awareness for the early signs of cardiac arrest.

Meng Aw-Yong, Medical Adviser at St John Ambulance, said: [pullquote]”Every year thousands of people die of cardiac arrest when first aid could have helped them live.”[/pullquote]

In a statement released earlier this week Charity director James Radford told Sky News:

“What we’re trying to do is to encourage the very simple steps that everyone could take: find out where your closest defibrillator is, know how to spot the signs of a cardiac arrest, be ready to use CPR to resuscitate, so know that early defibrillation can make all the difference in the terms of survival.”

The need for CPR training has grown since the collapse of footballer Fabrice Muamba in 2012 who was saved after a defibrillator was used on his stopped heart fifteen times.

Cardiac arrest is the main cause of death in young athletes and a frequent cause of unexpected heart related sudden-deaths in those under the ages of thirty.

CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation procedure) is taught to nursing students at the beginning of their degree. Student nurse Gee Seddon explains the benefits of learning such a vital skill.

Existing heart conditions such as Coronary heart disease and inherited heart conditions like progressive cardiac conduction defect (PCCD) are also causes of cardiac arrest.

Peter Adcock suffers from Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, a heart condition that has caused him to need a permanently fitted defibrillator. Giving up sport and having to quit his job are just some of the sacrifices that he has had to make after finding out about his illness through a medical test at work. He gives this advice:

The British Heart Foundation says it is crucial to contact 999 and begin CPR if someone is having a cardiac arrest. Knowing where the nearest defibrillator is will also increase the chances and times of recovery.

Where can I find a defibrillator?

Fifty percent of UK’s citizens don’t know where their nearest defibrillator is.

Public access defibrillators (PAD) can be found in most public spaces. Shopping centres and transport stations are the most common in the UK. The nearest PAD in Salford is at Parkside Healthcare.

                                         12 Parkside Avenue, Salford, Lancashire, M7 4HB

          0161 795 2792

In Manchester there is one available at Schultz Health Care Ltd.

                                         Suite 144, 792, Wilmslow Rd, Manchester, Lancashire, M20 6UG

           0161 431 6767