New CPR app launched in memory of Paul Gardner

By Kris Jepson

A new CPR app has been launched in memory of North Shields man Paul Gardner, who died after getting into difficulties on the coastline of Ibiza, Spain in 2018.

Mr Gardner's step dad, Billy Ions, invested in the development of the app after it emerged none of Paul's friends knew how to carry out CPR when he became unconscious.

Mr Ions told ITV News Tyne Tees he hopes the app will help save lives in the future.

Watch @krisjepson's report here:

The app is designed so that it is easy to use and accessible wherever the person is.

It can be used offline once the app has been downloaded and contains audio videos which illustrate how to carry out various types of life saving tasks.

The launch took place at Paul Gardner's former school in North Shields, Norham High School.

Paul Bull from First Aid North East performed interactive sessions with the pupils to show them exactly how to get somebody into the recover position, administer CPR, and use defibrillators.

He said the app really helps him deliver such sessions.

Sophie Wallis, 15, a pupil from the school took part in the session.

She said "The CPR app is very well executed. It’s easy to navigate and it’s got so much information that if I did see someone in the street that I probably could do something to try and help."

Bradley Bell, 16, said "It’s just a quick click on the app and select which type of first aid and then it talks you through it, tells you how to do it, tells you what to do."

Local cardiologist, Professor Michael Norton, told ITV News "people A) panic, and b) do nothing, apart from hopefully call 999. What we need them to be doing is to be proactive to do something. Anything they do is better than nothing. Number one 999 as quickly as you can. Number two if this person is not breathing and is unconscious we have to presume their heart has stopped. We have to start chest compressions doing CPR."