Children learn how to '˜Restart A Heart' with CPR at city hospital

CHILDREN were shown how to do basic lifesaving CPR at Queen Alexandra Hospital.
Sarah Conway from Unison learning how to give CPR with Carl Davies, resuscitation officer at Queen Alexandra Hospital 

Picture: Sarah Standing (161419-4984)Sarah Conway from Unison learning how to give CPR with Carl Davies, resuscitation officer at Queen Alexandra Hospital 

Picture: Sarah Standing (161419-4984)
Sarah Conway from Unison learning how to give CPR with Carl Davies, resuscitation officer at Queen Alexandra Hospital Picture: Sarah Standing (161419-4984)

Experts hosted the session, in the main entrance, which encouraged children in the area to learn this vital skill.

The stand had three dummies for youngsters to practice chest compressions in the hope they will remember what to do if they find themselves needing to resuscitate someone.

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Pippa Davies, senior clinical educator for resuscitation at Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the QA at Cosham, said: ‘The focus for our event was children and teaching them simple CPR.

A youngster has a go at CPRA youngster has a go at CPR
A youngster has a go at CPR

‘What we’re teaching them is very basic life support.

‘Resuscitation can be very complex, but we have simplified the steps so children can understand them and carry them out.

‘It’s about teaching children what to look for and they have been picking it up very quickly.’

The event, which was held on Restart A Heart Day, attracted children visiting the hospital and those who were patients.

A youngster has a go at CPRA youngster has a go at CPR
A youngster has a go at CPR
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QA has supported the national day in previous years and Pippa said it was good to support it again.

‘This is something we support every year and it always gets interest from children and their parents,’ she said.

One team member teaching the CPR to youngsters was Emma Heaysman.

She said: ‘It is so important that children learn basic resuscitation.

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‘It does help save lives. If we can get children involved then hopefully it becomes part of their knowledge and they will be able to help someone in the future.’

The children were taught to do 30 chest compressions and how to do them effectively.

They were also told about calling 999 and how to maintain chest compressions until other people arrived to help.

Emma added: ‘It’s good of the hospital to take part in the campaign and hold sessions like this.

‘We just want to reach out to as many people as possible and make them aware of how simple CPR can be.’

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