The Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has today (17 February) endorsed a campaign by the Awyr Las 'Keep the Beats' initiative which encourages residents to practice CPR in the safety of their own home, by using common household items such as balls, cushions and teddy bears. 

CPR is an emergency first aid procedure that involves someone pressing up and down on a collapsed person’s chest. A cardiac arrest is when the heart stops beating. CPR and the use of a defibrillator often doubles the chance of survival. 

Making clear the need to practice CRP, Janet said:  

“Everybody in Wales should learn CPR skills so that they are confident of the steps they need to take when a person has a cardiac arrest. By taking a few minutes to learn some basic CPR skills, you can increase someone’s chance of survival, in what can be a very stressful situation. 

Early data suggests that, in the BCUHB region, 75% of people who have a cardiac arrest do not receive CPR before medical help arrives. Every year in Wales, over 6,000 people will have a sudden cardiac arrest in the community and approximately 80% of those will happen in the home. 

It is important to understand the steps involved in CPR, often called the Chain of Survival. The ‘Chain of Survival’ describes the crucial elements that can save a life when someone has a cardiac arrest in the community. 

Endorsing the home-based practice initiative, Janet remarked:  

“This Awyr Las campaign, which promotes using everyday household items to train and update our CPR skills, ensures that we have a community of trained and confident lifesavers. In some of Aberconwy’s most rural settings, this will save lives, including our nearest and dearest. 

“Every second counts when someone is having a cardiac arrest. By regularly practicing our CPR method with a bear or ball will mean that we will all have the confidence to step in and assist those in need. After all, in this type of stressful situation, any CPR is better than no CPR.” 

ENDS 

Notes to Editors:  

• The North Wales NHS charity, Awyr Las, provides enhanced services over and above what the NHS funds. Most hospital wards, departments and community healthcare services have dedicated funds within the charity. 
• Keep The Beats wants everyone in North Wales to understand how to perform basic CPR and operate a defibrillator, as it’s the only way to re-establish the hearts natural heartbeat and help save lives. 
• You can find out more by visiting: awyrlas.org.uk/about-keep-the-beats 
• To find out more about the Chain of Survival, visit: gov.wales/save-a-life-cymru 

Photo: Oxana Lyashenko on Unsplash