400 Derby College students learn how to save a life on Restart a Heart Day

Students taking part in the training (Credit: DCG)

Almost 400 students and staff at Derby College Group (DCG) now have the skills to save a life, after taking part in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training to mark Restart a Heart Day on Friday 16th October.

The sessions at The Roundhouse were led by Michael Grange, a Teacher of Construction at DCG, who volunteers with St John Ambulance and Belper Community First Responders. Michael was supported by fellow volunteers and delivered the training with East Midlands Ambulance Service.

Students learned how to recognise when someone has collapsed and stopped breathing normally, how to call for help and how to give effective chest compressions. Each participant showed what they had learned and received a certificate on completing their session, meaning they are now prepared to step in should they ever face an emergency.

A key part of the training was the DRSABC approach, a simple sequence that helps people stay calm and act quickly: check for Danger, look for a Response, Shout for help and call 999, open the Airway, check for Breathing, then start CPR.

There are more than 30,000 out of hospital cardiac arrests in the UK each year, and fewer than one in ten people survive. Every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces the chance of survival by up to 10%, while early CPR and defibrillation can more than double it. Around 80% of these cardiac arrests happen at home, so the person most likely to need help is a family member or friend. saving lives in an emergency.

Michael, who has taught at DCG for more than 20 years, said: “When someone’s heart stops, the minutes before an ambulance arrives are everything. Most cardiac arrests happen at home, so the person who needs your help could be your mum, your grandad or your best mate. I’ve seen as a first responder what a difference it makes when someone nearby has started CPR. Seeing almost 400 of our students and colleagues leave with that confidence is fantastic, and I’m grateful to the volunteers and East Midlands Ambulance Service for making it happen.”

Ethan Viviers, who is studying Construction at DCG, said: “It was really good to be made aware of how serious a cardiac arrest is and how much you can do to help. Before today I wouldn’t have known where to start. Now I know what to do and I’d feel confident stepping in.”

Leon Sharpe, also studying Construction at DCG, said: “Construction sites can be dangerous places, so it’s a skill I’m glad to have for work as well as everyday life. It only took one session, but it could make the difference between someone living or dying.”

Restart a Heart Day takes place every October and aims to teach as many people as possible the skills to help someone in cardiac arrest.