THERE will be a chance to learn essential life-saving skills during a free event on Wirral next week.

A demonstration will be given by St John Ambulance volunteers as part of the annual Restart a Heart campaign next Wednesday (October 19) at Burd Ward Solicitors on Seaview Road in Wallasey from 2-5pm.

To attend the session, email kash.mahmood@sja.org.uk to reserve a place.

Each session is free to attend and includes practical information on how to give cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), how to understand the difference between a cardiac arrest and a heart attack, and how to deliver shocks to the heart with a defibrillator.

It is estimated that annually around 30,000 people have an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and that for every minute that passes following a cardiac arrest and before CPR is commenced and a defibrillator deployed, the chances of a patient surviving drops by 10 per cent. In 2022, still less than one person in ten survives an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

The aim of this year’s campaign is to continue to build confidence among the public in performing CPR and using a defibrillator, and to reach out to new audiences, diverse communities, and those in so-called ‘hotspot’ communities (areas where cardiac arrest rates are higher than the UK average and bystander CPR rates are lower than average) to ensure that everyone has a chance to learn CPR - and that those having a sudden cardiac arrest have their best chance of survival.

Dr Lynn Thomas, medical director at St John Ambulance, said: "We're thrilled to be working with our partners again on another Restart a Heart campaign.

"Anyone can be affected by a sudden cardiac arrest at any time, and without intervention, the person will quickly die, so I'd absolutely encourage readers to find a local demo to attend and to feel invited, included and involved in this year's campaign.

"Every extra person who learns these vital skills is someone who could potentially save a life and help someone when they most need it.

"We look forward to seeing everyone at our demos and to another successful Restart a Heart campaign this year."

Further details about the Restart a Heart demos on offer can be found at https://www.sja.org.uk/press-centre/campaigns/restart-a-heart-day/