CPR and Defibrillator Awareness Training DSAA Life Support – Training for Corporate Supporters DSAA Life Support is our training initiative, teaching people in Dorset and Somerset how to deliver effective CPR and use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Our aim with DSAA Life Support is for members of our community to have the confidence and skills to deliver early life-saving interventions. Approximately 25% of the missions our crew are tasked to are cardiac arrests – this is where someone’s heart has stopped and their breathing is absent or abnormal. Our crew can be anywhere within Dorset and Somerset within 20 minutes, but the care the patient receives before we get there can play a vital role in their survival. An out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is the ultimate medical emergency and can happen to anyone, at any time. In the UK, around 200 people suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest every day and currently, only 1 in 10 survive. Every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces a person’s chances of survival by around 10% and the risk of permanent brain damage increases. Early CPR and early defibrillation can double a patient’s chances of survival, which is why we want members of our community to have the confidence and skills to deliver early life-saving interventions. Jonathan’s Story - "Their knowledge proved crucial that day" Jonathan Belke was on vacation with his wife in West Lulworth. They decided to walk up Durdle Door from where they were staying and made their way up the hill for a relaxing lunch at Lulworth Cove. Without warning, Jonathan suffered a cardiac arrest. He kindly shares his story and highlights the importance of learning CPR. Read Jonathan’s story What do we do? DSAA Life Support CPR and Defibrillator Awareness Sessions are delivered by volunteers who are basic life support trained and provide the training to corporate supporters across our two counties. The sessions involve a demonstration of DRS-ABC – Danger, Response, Shout for help, Airway, Breathing, and Chest Compressions (CPR), before participants are then given the opportunity to practice the recovery position, CPR and how to use a defibrillator. How is it funded? DSAA provides the financial and organisational support needed for running the programme – establishing connections with supporters in the community, as well as maintaining the equipment to deliver the practical sessions. We are grateful for the generous support received from The Hobson Charity and The Grace Trust, who have funded the equipment for this project. If you have attended one of our CPR and Defibrillator Awareness Sessions or would like to support this project, we would be grateful for your donation. DONATE today Ready to help save lives? If you work for a business within Dorset and Somerset and would like to register your interest for our CPR and Defibrillator Awareness Sessions, please contact our DSAA Life Support Team. Register your interest Manage Cookie Preferences