CPR and Defibrillator Awareness Sessions - Life Support DSAA Life Support is our new initiative raising awareness and teaching people in Dorset and Somerset how to deliver effective CPR and use an Automated External Defibrillator. Our aim with DSAA Life Support is for members of our community to have the confidence and skills to deliver early life-saving interventions. Why Learn CPR and how to use a Defibrillator? 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. What to Expect in Our Sessions Our sessions are delivered by basic life support trained volunteers who are passionate about teaching these vital skills to businesses, organisations and community groups across Dorset and Somerset. Each session provides: DRS-ABC Demonstration: Danger: Ensure the area is safe for you and others. Response: Gently squeeze the person’s shoulders and speak loudly for a response. Shout for Help: Dial 999 for an ambulance. Put the phone on loudspeaker and follow the advice from the call handler. Use What3Words to help us find you in a rural or remote location. Airway: Remove any visible obstructions and open the airway by tilting the head and lifting the jaw. Breathing: Look, listen and feel for normal breathing. If breathing isn’t normal begin CPR. CPR: Start chest compressions and fetch the nearest defibrillator. Practical Guidance: Perform CPR and learn how to operate a defibrillator. How to Find a Defibrillator Near You A defibrillator, or AED, is a device that delivers a shock to a patient in cardiac arrest, helping to restore normal heart rhythm. It’s designed to be simple enough that anyone can use it without prior training. Once the device is beside the patient, just turn it on and follow the spoken instructions. To find the nearest defibrillator in your community, visit the DefibFinder UK website: www.defibfinder.uk Find your nearest defibrillator 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 Funding and Support 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, and to Trust Dental for their support on a monthly basis. If you've attended one of our Sessions or wish to support this project, we would greatly appreciate your donation. Your contribution helps us continue this life-saving work across Dorset and Somerset. Donate today Ready to help save lives? Are you part of a business, community group, or organisation within Dorset and Somerset? Register your interest in our CPR and Defibrillator Awareness Sessions today and help us build a community ready to respond in an emergency. Contact our DSAA Life Support Team by emailing: [email protected]. Register your interest Manage Cookie Preferences