C.P.R. with the Scottish Ambulance Service

Written by Kayleigh, Communications Intern at Euan’s Guide.

Back in November, the Scottish Ambulance Service visited Euan’s Guide to teach staff and Ambassadors C.P.R. skills. This was an experimental training session as the Scottish Ambulance Service are looking to be more inclusive to people who want to learn lifesaving skills, but perhaps think they can not do so in the traditional way. 

Chris Alves, a Community Resilience Facilitator for the Scottish Ambulance Service, spoke in detail about what C.P.R. or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation was, and how important it is. If someone you know goes into cardiac arrest it is critical that emergency services are called, and help is given as soon as possible. Chris taught us how to spot symptoms of cardiac arrest, ensure safety for everyone involved and how to perform compressions on adult, junior and infant manikins. 

For those, like myself, who could not get on the ground to perform full compressions, Chris ensured us that we can still help by calling 999, keep other people safe when they come to help and direct others on how to give lifesaving C.P.R. He then spoke about the importance of automated external defibrillators which anyone can use. These are becoming more popular and we learnt about when and how to use them in an emergency.

The whole process is unlike what you see on TV and in movies! We realised there is a calm preciseness to everything that the ambulance service does, even in very stressful situations.

Before this training day I felt that, as a wheelchair user with limited mobility, I would not be able to help in a situation where someone needs C.P.R. I thought that I would do more damage than good. However, knowing the skills and being able to communicate to someone else can save a life. Many of our Ambassadors felt the same way; although they may not be able to carry out the physical actions required for C.P.R.; they now know how to effectively communicate to others to help. 

Pictured: Euan’s Guide Ambassador Karine sitting in her powerchair instructing her wife Sarah to carry out compressions on the adult manikin. Sarah’s arms are straight, hands locked – one over the other – on top of the manikin’s chest.

Euan’s Guide Ambassador Karine said: “It is amazing that even although I cannot carry out C.P.R., this training has given me the confidence to be able to tell someone else how to carry it out.”

The Scottish Ambulance Service were extremely grateful for our feedback on how training could be made more inclusive in the future, and we hope that more people will learn these vital skills to help save lives.

Tags: events, Ambassadors