Women are less likely to receive lifesaving CPR during a cardiac arrest, and SECAmb’s first-ever CPRathon is raising awareness and helping to challenge the barriers behind this disparity
Taking place on Restart a Heart Day, Friday 16 October between 10:00 to 22:00, at Asda Chatham Superstore, the CPRathon will bring together ambulance staff, emergency services and members of the local community to keep CPR going continuously throughout the day.
The event has been inspired by research from St John Ambulance which found that 23 per cent of people would be less likely to perform CPR on a woman. When someone suffers a cardiac arrest, every minute without CPR and defibrillation significantly reduces their chance of survival, making it vital that everyone receives the same chance of lifesaving intervention.
Through the CPRathon, SECAmb aims to raise awareness of the gender gap in bystander CPR, help tackle some of the barriers in bystander CPR by giving people the confidence and skills needed to save a life while building even more resilient communities.
SECAmb already has one of the highest out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates to 30 days in the country. The Trust hopes the event will build on that success by encouraging more people to recognise cardiac arrest and act quickly when it matters most.
Among those supporting the event will be cardiac arrest survivor Demi Buxton, whose life was saved after her heart stopped beating while with her friend and colleague in Kent. Demi’s friend began chest compressions and a first-aid trained estate agent nearby stepped in to assist highlighting the crucial role bystanders can play in giving someone the best possible chance of survival.
“When I collapsed, CPR gave me a second chance at life,” Demi said. “Everyone deserves that same chance, which is why it’s so important that people feel confident performing CPR on anyone who needs it.”
The CPRathon will also raise vital funds for SECAmb Charity to support initiatives aimed at tackling the gender gap in bystander CPR. Funding could help purchase more female CPR training manikins, expand community CPR education programmes and enable more people to gain the confidence to step forward in an emergency.
Danny Dixon, Head of Operations for Community Resilience at SECAmb, said: “We know that there are barriers that can make people less likely to perform CPR on women and, at SECAmb, we want to help change that.
“Our CPRathon is a great opportunity for us to raise awareness and help build confidence in our communities, while also raising vital funds for SECAmb Charity, which can ultimately help us save more lives.”
Members of the public are encouraged to join the event, learn CPR and support those taking part in the challenge. You can register your interest here or simply turn up on the day.
For more information about the CPRathon or to support the fundraiser, please visit: CPRathon – NHS South East Coast Ambulance Service