E-Lifesaver Training for SWASFT staff
We are delighted to be supporting colleagues to learn these vital lifesaving skills. Our Fundraising Manager, Louise Walsh, was one of the first non-clinical staff members to sign up and complete the training.
According to Louise; "This was a brilliant way to learn as the online training resources can be accessed from anywhere. The scenarios felt real with the time pressures added in (I did have some delays as I was trying to take screenshots along the way to help promote this opportunity!). Personally, I have learned that I need to give CPR chest compressions more quickly than I first anticipated. I certainly feel more prepared to help in an emergency".
Every year the South Western Ambulance Service crews provide a resuscitation attempt to over 3,000 patients following a cardiac arrest. 3 in 4 patients who experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest collapse at home, often with family or friends.
Many of the 5000+ staff at the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) are not clinically trained and may have never learned lifesaving CPR and how to use a defibrillator.
So, the question we asked ourselves was could we all look after a friend or family member if they experienced a cardiac arrest?
Working with SWASFT Specialist Paramedic Ollie Zorab, the South Western Ambulance Charity has provided funding to enable SWASFT staff to access the E-Lifesaver training programme. Ollie explained that although clinical staff at SWASFT are trained to deliver the best possible care to patients during such a time critical medical emergency, anyone can find themselves in a situation where someone has collapsed due to a cardiac arrest.
According to Specialist Paramedic Ollie Zorab, SWASFT Clinical Lead on Cardiac Arrest;
"Every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces a person’s chances of survival by around 10% and the risk of permanent brain damage increases. Having the knowledge to confidently provide CPR and use a publicly available defibrillator in the few moments following a person’s collapse can significantly increase their chances of survival and making a full recovery.
We have received funding from the South Western Ambulance Charity to ensure that everyone in the Trust has the ability to save a life, regardless of their role. To achieve this, we have partnered with the Resuscitation Council (UK) to offer eLifesaver, an award-winning online learning tool.
Completing eLifesaver takes around 10-15 minutes and can be done by anyone without any previous knowledge of CPR. You will also be given the option to express an interest in receiving follow-up face-to-face consolidation training and you'll receive a Resuscitation Council (UK) certificate following completion of e-Lifesaver."
This training is open to SWASFT non-clinical staff via eLifesaver - SWAST CPD
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact us on 0300 3690108 or email charity@swast.nhs.uk.