Would you know what to do if someone you loved was in trouble? Here's how to overcome your first aid fear...
If a loved one collapsed and was unresponsive, we’d hope someone would come to their aid.
But research shows that eight in 10 adults lack the knowledge and confidence to act in that situation, while only half said they’d be confident to perform CPR if a loved one had a sudden cardiac arrest at home.
Yet every minute a person spends without CPR and defibrillation, their chance of survival drops by around 10 per cent.
So, what is causing this ‘First Aid Fear’ and how can we overcome it?
David Bowen, St John Ambulance’s National Clinical Lead (Resuscitation), says: ‘People lack confidence giving CPR for several reasons. Often they worry about causing harm, such as breaking ribs.
‘We also know that women are statistically less likely to receive bystander CPR than men. One reason for this is that to do CPR correctly, your hands must be placed in the middle of the chest and people fear being accused of inappropriate touching or hurting someone.
‘Another barrier to someone performing CPR can be assuming you’ll need to give rescue breaths. But there’s no expectation for you to do this. What makes a real difference is getting chest compressions and early defibrillation.
‘Of course, for many people, the biggest barrier to giving CPR is feeling unsure how to perform chest compressions or use a defibrillator.
‘People don’t realise that when you ring the ambulance service they talk you through everything. They will help you find an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) and the defibrillator itself will also give you voice instructions on how to operate it.
‘The most important thing is to just please try. If somebody isn't responding and isn't breathing normally, they will die unless they get CPR. Whatever you do is invariably going to be better than doing nothing.’
Here, David explores some ways that can help boost confidence…
Brush up on the basics
David says: ‘If someone isn’t breathing normally call 999. Sometimes someone in cardiac arrest may do something called agonal breathing, which is where they take these strange gasps, but it’s important to remember that this is not normal breathing and that they will still need CPR.
‘To perform CPR, make sure the person is flat on their back. Then place the heel of one hand in the centre of their chest, on the sternum or breastbone, and your other hand on top.
‘When you start the compressions, you're aiming for a rate of 100 to 120 a minute.
‘If you count 1 and 2 and 3 and 4… and push down on every number, that should be the right speed.
‘However, remember the ambulance controller will be counting for you and telling you when to push.
‘In terms of pressure, don’t be afraid to push harder than you might expect. You’re looking to move the chest around five to six centimetres.’
Don’t be daunted by defibrillators!
David says: ‘People worry defibrillators are going to be complex when actually they give you clear voice instructions and are easy and safe to use.
‘Eighty per cent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen at home, so it’s worth going on the defibrillator database, called The Circuit, to find out where your nearest ones are in advance. Not all AEDs are registered on The Circuit, so if you come across an unregistered one, ask the owner to register it.’
Take a class
David says: ‘Even with no training, anyone can perform CPR when asked to by the ambulance call taker. However, classes are still incredibly beneficial in building confidence and making it easier to follow the directions. Practising chest compressions on a mannequin and going through CPR in detail can create muscle memory, helping to make it easier and less stressful should you need these skills in real life.
‘Not all courses charge. As well as training courses, St John also offers, free community awareness sessions, which you can sign up for on our website.
‘We also have some amazing websites, videos and training films that are helpful too.’
• For more information, or to find a first aid course, visit sja.org.uk; to find your nearest defibrillator, visit defibfinder.uk; and to register your defibrillator, visit thecircuit.uk.