Life Threatening Conditions

Cardiac Arrest

Over 150,000 people die from cardiac arrests in the UK each year. The majority might be saved if only their heart could be defibrillated (shocked back into a rhythm) within five minutes.

An Automated External Defibrillator – with a trained operator – at the site of sudden cardiac arrest can raise the chance of survival from 5% to 80%. For every minute following onset of sudden cardiac arrest, the chance of that person’s survival drops by 10%. As such, waiting for an ambulance for just 6 minutes will reduce the opportunity for more than half of all casualties to receive a successful resuscitation outcome.

The Automated External Defibrillation course is a one day course and covers CPR along with how and when to use an AED. The course is designed for individuals and businessess.

Heart Attack

Approximately 300,000 people in the UK have a heart attack each year. It is a major cause of death affecting both men and women. Half of those who die, do so from cardiac arrest (the heart stopping completely) within 3 or 4 hours of the start of the attack.

Anyone suspected of having a heart attack should get medical attention immediately. The sooner the treatment, the more effective it will be and the greater the chance of survival.

Stroke

• There are approximately 152,000 strokes in the UK every year.  That is more than one every five minutes.
• There are approximately 1.1 million stroke survivors living in the UK.
• More than half of all stroke survivors are left dependent on others for everyday activities.
• High blood pressure is the most important risk factor for stroke, contributing to about 50% of all strokes.
• One in five strokes are fatal. Stroke causes about 7% of deaths in men and 10% of deaths in women.
• For every 1,000 patients who receive thrombolysis, a clot busting treatment, 80 will live more independently.