Less than half of Welsh adults confident they could perform CPR on a loved one having a cardiac arrest

Less than half of people (47 per cent) in Wales say they would be able to perform CPR if a loved one had a sudden cardiac arrest in front of them, despite latest data showing that 80 per cent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen in the home. 

The figures have been revealed as the British Heart Foundation (BHF) calls on the nation to learn lifesaving CPR during February’s Heart Month, with the message that you’re most likely to need these skills to save someone you know. 

There are around 2,800 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in Wales each year. But only one in 20 people survive, often because those around them don’t have the skills or confidence to perform CPR.  

The survey of more than 4,000 adults, which was carried out for the BHF by YouGov, also shows that a third of people in Wales (34 per cent) have never learned CPR. Of those, over half (53 per cent) said it was because they didn’t know where to learn, while nearly a quarter (23 per cent) said they didn’t have the confidence to learn. 

The BHF says CPR ‘could be the most important lesson you ever learn’ – with early CPR and defibrillation shown to more than double the chances of surviving a cardiac arrest. Through the charity’s digital CPR training tool, RevivR, it takes just 15 minutes to learn.  

Carmarthen man, Alun Sturley, knows all too well the importance of CPR after he had to put his lifesaving skills to use at home with his own father.

Alun learned CPR in Carmarthen in 2019, thinking it would be a useful skill to have. He was right. Just two months later his father, John, had a cardiac arrest while watching TV and Alun was able to act quickly and save his life.

Explaining why he decided to learn CPR, Alun said: “I was out of work at the time and had the option of going on a CPR course and I thought it would be of benefit, so I gave it a go. I never thought at the time that I’d be performing it on my dad just weeks later.”

Alun’s father had experienced health trouble before but when he had a cardiac arrest in his home in November 2019 in front of his family it came out of the blue.

“It came as quite the shock. We were just sitting watching TV when my dad grimaced and it took a few seconds before I realised what was happening,” he explained.

His training quickly kicked-in, however, and Alun acted quickly to save his father.

“It was sort of a blur, but the training just came back to me straight away and I knew what I had to do. Thankfully I was there, and I was able to help,” he said.

Alun performed chest compressions on his father until the paramedics and air ambulance arrived and, in doing so, saved his life.

He is now a passionate advocate of CPR training and encourages everyone to learn this important skill.

“I think everyone should be trained in it. It is easy to learn it is a skill you will never forget. We all hope that it is something we will never have to do but if there is an emergency you want to know what to do instead of being left wishing you could have done something.

“A cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere. It’s really important that people know what to do,” he said.

The BHF is now urging the public to learn CPR for free in just 15 minutes – using its online tool, RevivR. The tool means anyone can learn lifesaving CPR skills, anywhere, anytime – and all that is needed is a mobile phone and a cushion. 

RevivR teaches how to recognise a cardiac arrest, gives feedback on chest compressions and outlines the correct steps of using a defibrillator, giving anyone the confidence to help in the ultimate medical emergency.  

Rhodri Thomas, Head of Wales at the British Heart Foundation, said: “Every second counts when someone has a cardiac arrest, and knowing CPR could be the difference between life and death. A cardiac arrest can happen to anyone at any time – it could be your partner, your child or even your mum or your dad. 

“Our survey shows that too many of us still haven’t learned CPR and wouldn’t have the confidence to step in if the worst should happen. It only takes 15 minutes to learn with RevivR – that’s a coffee break, half time in the football or the time you might spend scrolling through social media. I urge you do it today, as it could be the most important lesson you ever learn.”  

Alun added: “I’ve had a look at RevivR and it’s great. It’s so simple to use and everyone could follow it. It really puts CPR skills at your fingertips so you’re ready if an emergency happens and you could save the life of someone you love.”