WATCH: Alnwick pupils learn CPR on Restart a Heart Day

Pupils at the Duchess's Community High School in Alnwick have been learning CPR today '“ Restart a Heart Day.
Christopher Hills, from the North East Ambulance Service, showed pupils from the Duchess's Community High School how to perform CPR. Picture by Jane ColtmanChristopher Hills, from the North East Ambulance Service, showed pupils from the Duchess's Community High School how to perform CPR. Picture by Jane Coltman
Christopher Hills, from the North East Ambulance Service, showed pupils from the Duchess's Community High School how to perform CPR. Picture by Jane Coltman

Christopher Hills, from the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) showed students how to perform the life-saving technique as part of a campaign is run in association with the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and the Resuscitation Council UK.

It comes as statistics released today by the BHF reveal that 85 per cent of people surveyed in the North East would be reluctant to perform CPR on cardiac-arrest victims.

Christopher Hills, from the North East Ambulance Service, showed pupils from the Duchess's Community High School how to perform CPR. Picture by Jane ColtmanChristopher Hills, from the North East Ambulance Service, showed pupils from the Duchess's Community High School how to perform CPR. Picture by Jane Coltman
Christopher Hills, from the North East Ambulance Service, showed pupils from the Duchess's Community High School how to perform CPR. Picture by Jane Coltman
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The main reasons for reluctance to step in were fear of causing more harm than good (43 per cent) and lacking the skills and knowledge to perform CPR (40 per cent).

But experts warn that the benefits far outweigh the risks, as survival rates are almost zero if people collapse and get no support until paramedics arrive.

As part of the annual day to increase awareness of the importance of CPR, NEAS and the country’s other ambulance services along with the BHF and others are aiming to train more than 150,000 young people across the UK in the largest-ever CPR training event of its kind.

NEAS operations manager, Gareth Campbell, said: “It’s not always easy for people to initiate CPR but the chances of survival and the quality of life thereafter are enormously better if CPR is begun as soon as possible and literally every second counts.

Christopher Hills, from the North East Ambulance Service, showed pupils from the Duchess's Community High School how to perform CPR. Picture by Jane ColtmanChristopher Hills, from the North East Ambulance Service, showed pupils from the Duchess's Community High School how to perform CPR. Picture by Jane Coltman
Christopher Hills, from the North East Ambulance Service, showed pupils from the Duchess's Community High School how to perform CPR. Picture by Jane Coltman
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“There is nothing more disheartening to an ambulance crew than arriving on scene to a patient where CPR is not in progress when it could have been.

“Equipping our youngsters with this vital life skill means we can ultimately save more lives. We are extremely proud to be part of Restart a Heart and hope our volunteers and schools enjoy the day.”

To find out how you can teach CPR in your school, workplace or community group, visit bhf.org.uk/cpr