Nearly a ⅓ of adults in the North West of England would not attempt CPR, putting lives at risk

30% of adults living in the North West of England wouldn't perform CPR if they saw someone suffer a cardiac arrest, according to worrying new figures released to mark Restart a Heart Day. Researchers from the University of Warwick Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest Outcome (OHCAO) Registry team worked with YouGov to survey over 4,000 UK adults. Participants were asked questions about their knowledge of CPR, and whether they would feel confident in performing it on someone who had had a cardiac arrest.

The British Heart Foundation (BHF), which commissioned the research, says the figures show that lives are still being put at risk every day because not enough people know how to perform CPR.

Restart a Heart Day, is an annual campaign to raise awareness of the importance of CPR, which will today see over 200,000 people trained in life saving CPR. The campaign is organised jointly by the:- BHF, the Resuscitation Council (UK), St John Ambulance, the British Red Cross, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and Ambulance trusts and fire and rescue services across the country. This year for the 1st time, the day will be marked globally, as training and awareness events take place for World Restart a Heart Day.

The UK campaign, which is now in its 5th year, was launched after figures revealed that less than 1 in 10 people in Britain survive an out of Hospital cardiac arrest, due to low bystander CPR rates. In countries where CPR is taught in Schools, as many as 1 in 4 survive. The Westminster Government has recently announced plans to add CPR, defibrillator awareness and other lifesaving 1st aid skills to the national curriculum in Secondary Schools in England, as part of a push to save lives and improve cardiac arrest survival rates.

Although 96% of those who responded in the Region said they were likely to call an Ambulance if they saw someone had collapsed and had stopped breathing, the time it takes for the emergency services to arrive can mean the difference between life and death. Brain tissue starts to die within 3 minutes after the heart stops, due to a lack of oxygen. Early CPR can more than double a person's chances of survival, and can buy the time needed before paramedics arrive and provide care.

Research recently presented at the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) Conference suggests that campaigns like Restart a Heart Day are having an impact, with the data showing rates of bystander CPR increased by over 10% between 2013 and 2017. Despite these positive steps forward, today's survey still shows a worrying gap in knowledge, which results in thousands of lives being put at risk.

David McNally, Community Resuscitation Manager at North West Ambulance Service said:- "We were thrilled with the recent announcement that CPR and defibrillator awareness will be added to the national curriculum. However in the meantime it's vital we continue to equip anyone and everyone with the skills and confidence to save a life. This year we're taking Restart a Heart out on the road and visiting locations across the Region to give people of all ages a lifesaving lesson in basic life support; we'll be announcing when and where we'll be on social media.  CPR really is 1 of the simplest skills you could learn, but it could end up being 1 of the most important skills you ever have and need!"

Prof Gavin Perkins, Professor of Critical Care Medicine at the University of Warwick, who led the research, said:- "The Warwick team has for 10 years focused its research on out of Hospital cardiac arrest survival rates, and how to improve them. The rates of bystander CPR in the UK have for too long lagged behind other European nations, but with campaigns like Restart a Heart Day helping to raise awareness of the issue, we are now thankfully seeing some improvements."

Simon Gillespie, Chief Executive at the British Heart Foundation, said:- "You may not feel confident performing CPR if you haven't been trained or you don't remember your training; but without your early action the chances someone will survive a cardiac arrest are virtually 0. The BHF is striving to improve survival rates by creating a Nation of Lifesavers through our CPR training programmes. By raising awareness on Restart a Heart Day, we hope more people will see that CPR really can be the difference between life and death and that doing something is always better than doing nothing."

Dr Andrew Lockey, Honorary Secretary at the Resuscitation Council (UK) said:- "This year will see another 200,000 potential lifesavers trained across the UK; and evidence is emerging that the annual Restart a Heart initiative is leading to an increase in bystander CPR rates. The Resuscitation Council (UK) are certain we will see more lives saved from initiatives like this one, and all those who have contributed to training others can be justifiably proud of the positive impact that they are making."

St John Ambulance's Chief Executive, Martin Houghton Brown, said:- "Survival rates for out of Hospital cardiac arrests are far too low but if we equip communities with the skills and resilience to respond in an emergency situation: that can change. Hundreds of our dedicated and highly trained volunteers will be opening our doors across the country as part of Restart a Heart to share their skills and help embed life saving knowledge firmly within their local communities. We believe it is vital that everyone has the confidence and skills to step forward when it matters most and it really doesn't take long to brush up your CPR skills or even to learn from scratch. Ultimately, it means you could save a life."

Joe Mulligan, Head of 1st Aid Education at the British Red Cross said:- "When someone is unresponsive and not breathing it's a matter of life and death. Without immediate intervention with CPR and a defibrillator the chances are that person will not survive. While it's normal to feel worried about performing CPR, it's important to remember that doing something to help is always better than doing nothing. First aid will soon be part of the National Curriculum in England, meaning Secondary School children will learn this important life lesson which could go a long way to improving public confidence. In the meantime we would urge everyone to use our free online resources to learn this lifesaving skill."

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service Chief Fire Officer, Jim Wallace said:- "Restart a Heart Day is a fantastic initiative and it's great to see our crews heading into Schools teaching this life saving skill across Greater Manchester. If there is 1 thing children should learn at School; it's how to respond in an emergency situation and have the confidence and ability to perform CPR. You never know when you are going to need to perform this life saving skill, but it really can be the difference between life and death. I would encourage everyone to undertake CPR training, whether it is in School or the workplace, as the more people are trained and feel confident to step in to help someone, the better."

Education Secretary Damian Hinds said:- "Knowing how to save someone's life is 1 of the most powerful skills you can learn. That's why we plan to teach 1st aid ‎as part of health education, which we intend to make compulsory in all state funded Schools from 2020. I look forward to working with experts, including ‎the British Heart Foundation, as we compile teacher materials for health education‎. This change will mean pupils learn how to be safe and healthy. It's never too late to‎ learn how to be a lifesaver and I'd encourage people of all ages to learn 1st aid."

Dr Matt Kearney, National Clinical Director for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention at NHS England, said:- "When someone suffers a cardiac arrest their chances of survival increase dramatically if CPR is started immediately. Raising awareness and providing more people with the confidence and training they need on Restart a Heart Day is key and will save more lives."

The BHF's Call Push Rescue CPR training kits are free to eligible UK Secondary Schools and are also available to order by community groups and workplaces. For more information about CPR, visit the BHF's website.

People of all ages can join in online by playing free game in a films Lifesaver and Lifesaver VR to learn and practise their CPR skills and gain familiarity with defibrillator use. You can now learn more online at:- Resus.Org.UK/Apps/LifeSaver/.

Help young people develop the skills and confidence to help in a 1st aid situation with 1st aid learning for young people from the British Red Cross. It covers 16 1st aid skills, brought to life by realistic scenarios, videos, case studies, images, online quizzes and optional role plays.  You can find out more about this also online, via visiting:-  FirstAidLearningForYoungPeople.RedCross.Org.UK.

Jedi School returns to Spaceport this October ½ Term with new part of the Star Wars universe unveiled

YOUNG Padawan will head to Planet Tython, in the Deep Core System, to guide Jedis through a range of perilous adventures, as the popular Jedi School returns for the holidays

Children from across the North West will travel to a galaxy far, far away this October (2018) to become schooled in the ways of the 'Force,' as Spaceport brings back its well loved Jedi School.

Padawan recruits will have the chance to experience Jedi School masterclasses on the Planet Tython in the Deep Core System; and will help to guide a team of Jedis, including Luke Skywalker, through a range of adventures, including a battle with legendary Sith Lords.

A new scene for the Jedi School sessions is also being launched at Spaceport this October ½ Term, as part of the attraction's hugely popular:- "Sci-Fi Icons" exhibition.

The exhibition, which has drawn in thousands of visiting families from across the UK already, showcases a private collection of Stars Wars memorabilia from one of the UK's biggest collectors.

The Jedi Schools will run from Monday, 22 October to Friday, 26 October 2018, and families will also get the chance to meet and greet well loved and some not so loved characters from the global sci-fi franchise, including both Darth Vader and Darth Maul.

"The Jedi masterclasses at Spaceport really have captured the imagination of families from across the UK, and it's great to see children; and even some parents and guardians, joining in with the Star Wars universe and having fun. The Sci-Fi Icons exhibition gives families an interactive and immersive experience, and in terms of enjoying the world of Star Wars, we believe what we have at Spaceport is 2nd to none in the Region. The Jedi School sessions are very popular and places are on a 1st come, 1st serve basis. Once children have taken part in the masterclasses, they can spend time browsing the Sci-Fi icons collection which showcases iconic scenes and adored characters from the franchise; such as the Landspeeder Desert Scene and Ewok Village." said Gary Evans from Mersey Ferries.

There will be five Jedi masterclasses and shows per day, starting at 11.05am and running until 3.25pm. Meet and greets with characters from the franchise will also be available in the Spaceport foyer at selected times throughout the day.

Admission to Jedi School masterclasses; suitable for children aged 6 and over; are included as part of the River Explorer Cruise and Spaceport Combined Ticket.

Combined tickets offer great value with adult tickets available for ₤15 and child tickets available for ₤9, further savings can be made by booking online in advance. Spaceport will be open every day from Saturday, 20 October 2018 to Sunday, 28 October 2018, from 10am to 5pm and Jedi School runs from Monday, 22 October to Friday, 26 October 2018.

Places at Jedi School are subject to availability.

For more information or to book tickets, call the Mersey Ferries Ticket Office on:- 0151 330 1003, visit any of Mersey Ferries Terminals, or you can also do it via visiting the Spaceport website!