BBC Radio Suffolk with support from the East Anglian Daily Times and Ipswich Star launched a campaign ‘Learn to be a Lifesaver’.
As a result of this campaign, 500 people have been trained as life savers in the previous 5 sessions that have been held by both Nigel Donkin and Lesley Dolphin.
Nigel Donkin stated that there has been “100 people per session and 5 sessions so far, it’s been brilliant.” These sessions have been held in Ipswich, Felixstowe, Sudbury, Lowestoft amongst others.
In light of the campaign’s success so far, they have decided to continue holding more of these sessions aiming to prevent the campaign from dropping and keep spreading awareness.
Four more CPR training sessions are being set up at Hadleigh Pool on May 4th.
People that take part in the free training sessions will learn how to conduct CPR treatment correctly and safely, alongside how to use a defibrillator machine.
Speaking with Nigel Donkin, he stated that the campaign has been “Phenomenal. Absolutely brilliant. Everyone, without exception, enjoyed and benefitted from the sessions and left afterwards feeling armed with information.”
Donkin stressed the importance of CPR training and stated it is “crucial, as it could be anyone.”
“We already know that only 1 in 11 people will survive and out of hospital cardiac arrest. So the more people are trained the better.”
With more defibrillators situated all over and more people educated on how to use certain equipment and how to react in such a situation it can make a big difference.
Nigel stated that he hasn’t heard of anyone recently trained in CPR that has actually used their skills and knowledge yet but “it’s only a matter of time, it could be a friend or family member.”
Dr Jeremy Mauger previously stated that “People worry are they doing the right thing – should I try CPR?’” This illustrates the importance of the work ‘Learn to be a Lifesaver’ is carrying out.
EB