Hundreds of students, staff, and community members learned how to save a life last week, thanks to an inspiring two-day event hosted by KMMS and the Canterbury Christ Church University Simulation Team, in support of International Restart a Heart Day.
Held on Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 October, the workshops were part of Restart a Heart Day, a global initiative led by Resuscitation Council UK. The campaign brings together partners from across the world, including ambulance services, universities, and first-aid organisations, to raise awareness of cardiac arrests and train the public in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) use.
Photography by Timo Kuerten
Working in collaboration with Air Ambulance Kent, Surrey and Sussex, the volunteers offered hands-on CPR training to hundreds of participants, many of whom were learning the skill for the very first time.
Laura, a final-year KMMS medical student and volunteer instructor, shared a memorable tip for keeping the right rhythm during chest compressions:
“The ideal rate for chest compressions during CPR is between 100–120 beats per minute. An easy way to remember this is to think of a song with a similar tempo, like ‘Stayin’ Alive’, ‘Pink Pony Club’, or even ‘Baby Shark’!”
Photography by Christopher Wenham
The event highlighted an important message: over 40,000 people in the UK suffer a sudden out-of-hospital cardiac arrest each year, with 80% occurring at home or in the workplace. Immediate CPR from a bystander can double or even triple a person’s chances of survival, making public training initiatives like this one truly life-saving.
Dr Tim Collins, Senior Lecturer in Medical Education and Resuscitation Council Instructor, praised the student volunteers for their commitment, motivation and enthusiasm on the day:
“It was really great to see the professionalism and enthusiasm of our students who volunteered their time to provide these workshops, they were outstanding ambassadors to KMMS and made me very proud”.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who made the event possible, including Dr Tim Collins, Ashley Rigden from the CCCU Simulation Team, and the incredible KMMS student volunteers.
Find out more about the Restart a Heart initiative and how you can get involved at resus.org.uk
