Cardiac arrest victims face uncertain fate over CPR fears

  • Health

Cardiac arrest victims are being put at risk because so few bystanders are willing to attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation, a charity has warned.

Less than half of people would carry out CPR if somebody was suffering a cardiac arrest, leaving victims with little chance of survival, according to research carried out on behalf of the British Heart Foundation.

A cardiac arrest happens when the heart stops pumping blood around the body.

The signs are if somebody suddenly collapses, is not breathing normally and is unresponsive.

New research from the University of Warwick has found that bystanders who witness a cardiac arrest perform CPR in only four out of 10 cases.

This compares starkly with rates of almost three quarters (73%) in Norway, where survival rates are up to three times as high.

Every minute without CPR or resuscitation using a defibrillator cuts a person's chance of survival by around 10%, the BHF say.

The public's lack of knowledge and fear of helping means precious time is lost waiting for an ambulance to arrive.

A fear of doing further harm prevents many from carrying out CPR. Credit: PA

  • After 10 minutes without CPR or defibrillation, a person has a 2% chance of survival at best.

  • Surveys suggest that most (62%) of UK adults admit they are worried about what to do if somebody collapses in front of them.

  • Some 59% fear they will make things worse by trying to help - even though doing nothing is worse by far.

Simon Gillespie, chief executive of the British Heart Foundation, said:

The BHF says up to 5,000 lives could be saved every year if CPR rates matched Norway

Call Push Rescue: CPR advice from the BHF

A person in cardiac arrest will die within minutes without help. The BHF say using the Call Push Rescue technique may save lives.

CALL 999 immediately.

PUSH hard and fast on the centre of the chest 30 times.

Give two RESCUE breaths.

Keep going until the emergency medical services arrive. If you’d rather not give rescue breaths then call 999 and deliver Hands-only CPR. The charity says this is better than doing nothing.

Learn more about CPR:

The charity is launching Nation of Lifesavers today, a schools education programme aimed at giving children across the UK the training required to perform CPR or use a defibrillator.