Health / CPR and defibrillation skills training on offer
THE FIRE and ambulance services are working together through a partnership with the British Heart Foundation to equip people with vital cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation skills.
Free training sessions are on offer for groups, sports clubs, youth organisations and wider communities.
Local fire chief Matt Mason said a public session was recently organised by the Bressay Community Council, which saw 20 parkrun volunteers and members of the local community trained in CPR and defibrillation.
“It was great to see so many people getting together to learn or refresh such an important skill and particularly young folk from the island,” Mason said.
People attending the sessions will be able to:
- Learn how to recognise a cardiac arrest and what to do in an emergency situation
- Understand when you should call 999 and what to expect
- Learn CPR technique
- Learn how to use a defibrillator and where you can find your nearest one
The sessions are around 60 to 90 minutes long and include instruction and practice of CPR and defibrillation facilitated by the ambulance and fire team.
“We intend to provide sessions across Shetland and encourage as many people as possible to learn this vital skill,” Mason added.
“We firmly believe that sharing lifesaving CPR skills to every Shetlander will mean fewer families will experience the devastation of losing a loved one.”
Anyone interested in hosting an event should contact matt.mason@firescotland.gov.uk or andrew.mayhew@nhs.scot.
Each year more than 30,000 people have an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the UK, with less than one in ten surviving. Giving CPR and using a defibrillator can more than double someone’s chance of survival.
Meanwhile Shetland was represented at a recent event marking the bicentenary of the formation of the world’s first municipal fire service in Edinburgh.
Fiona Mitchell, Bob Hudson and Matt Mason from Shetland attended the event at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh last month.
They joined fire colleagues from across Scotland and the UK, HRH Princess Royal, many dignitaries, representatives of all blue light and other agencies for the celebration.
Mason said: “Over the last 200 years, the Scottish Fire and Rescue (SFRS) services have continued to evolve, and innovate, protecting the public through two world wars and some of the most tragic incidents this country has ever faced.
“All of this was made possible by the foundation laid by [James] Braidwood, known as the ‘father of the modern British fire service’. He was a pioneer in the area and his efforts have saved countless lives over the years.
“However, few people are aware of the influence of this remarkable man. His vision, influence and innovations are clear to see to this day in modern fire and rescues services around the world. The values of the modern SFRS – safety, teamwork, innovation and respect – are rooted in the foundations laid down 200 years ago by Braidwood.”
Shetland’s longest serving firefighter, watch commander Bob Hudson of the Walls station, said: “It was a great honour to be requested to attend St Giles and represent SFRS and Shetland to pay my respects and mark the bicentenary.
“I have been in the fire service for over 41 years and being part of the celebration was certainly one of my proudest moments wearing my uniform.”
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