Press release
“Give five to save a life”: University to host free CPR training sessions
Published on 11 October 2022
People across Tayside and Fife are being urged to give five minutes of their time this Friday to learn a potentially lifesaving skill.
Staff and students from the University of Dundee’s School of Health Sciences and School of Medicine are hosting free CPR training to members of the public as part of Restart a Heart Day.
Taking place across Scotland on Friday 14 October, trained coaches will be at locations in Dundee and Kirkcaldy providing quick, informal training in the procedure.
Dr Kevin Stirling, from Dundee’s School of Health Sciences, said, “The principle of Restart a Heart Day is to teach colleagues and members of the public how to deliver high-quality chest compressions.
“The ability to save a life is one of the most valuable skills a person can learn. Performing CPR while awaiting professional medical help can increase the chances of a person’s survival dramatically. In just five minutes we can empower a person with the skills and confidence to save a life. There can surely be no better use of time than that.”
More than 3,000 people across Scotland are treated by ambulance personnel following a cardiac arrest every year. However, given the urgent need for CPR in the aftermath of such a medical event, around only 1 in 10 people survive. Starting CPR can double this chance of survival, a skill that almost anybody can learn.
The University is hosting three, free events, working in conjunction with the Save a Life for Scotland campaign and its partners to teach CPR to members of the public. The events will utilise the same equipment used to train healthcare students at the University’s campuses in both Dundee and Kirkcaldy.
The sessions take place in the Mercat Shopping Centre, Kirkcaldy (10am-4pm), the Overgate Shopping Centre, Dundee (2-5pm), and Dundee University Students’ Association (10am-4pm).
Lisa MacInnes, Director of Save a Life for Scotland, said, "Equipping people with lifesaving CPR skills helps people to feel ready should they ever need to assist someone suffering a cardiac arrest. These fantastic events offer a real opportunity for local people to learn CPR and how to use a defibrillator.
“We know that upon recognising that someone is unwell, phoning 999 and starting CPR is the most important thing anyone can do for someone suffering an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Our aim is to equip one million people with CPR skills by 2026 to help more people survive cardiac arrest.
“Events like these are essential to our journey to helping everyone in Scotland be CPR ready."
Pauline Howie, Chief Executive of the Scottish Ambulance Service, added, “Anyone who has CPR knowledge can be a life-saver.
"We know how important bystander action is in helping to save the life of someone in cardiac arrest. Studies show that using a defibrillator within three minutes of collapse, along with starting CPR, can greatly increase chances of survival.
"Cardiac arrest can affect anyone, of any age at any time or place. It’s vital that we can encourage people to feel more comfortable in calling 999 and to deliver bystander CPR and defibrillation if witnessing an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.”