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Heartening Pop-Up

Nearly 100 more local adults and children know how to save lives, thanks to the library’s free CPR Pop-Up Day, in partnership with the London Ambulance Service, where they were taught – in just 15 minutes – how to respond to someone in cardiac arrest and get the heart pumping blood around the body again. The paramedics were amazed by the turn-out.

Children and adults take part in the CPR pop-up day

Local resident and BBC journalist, Rich Preston, who has intervened and saved several lives in the neighbourhood through knowing CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), says: 

“It is so quick and easy to learn how to save a life.  Ten minutes is all it takes to learn basic CPR, and anyone can do it.  I first learned CPR aged 10 in primary school, and it’s something I’ve kept up to date on ever since and it’s something I’ve had to use on more than one occasion.  

If a neighbour or a relative or even just a stranger on the street collapses, you might be the only person around who knows what to do.  Your immediate actions could really make a difference to saving that person’s life.”

Left to right: Rich Preston, Gary (Paramedic), Stephanie Schonfield (Library Manager)

New data from London Ambulance Service reveals the 150 neighbourhoods across the capital in greatest need of life-saving defibrillators include Kensal Green/Rise, where the library is located.

Chief Executive of London Ambulance Service Daniel Elkeles says: “When someone is in cardiac arrest, every second counts in the fight for survival. Our ambulance crews get to these sickest patients quickly, but by starting CPR and using a defibrillator, you can help save someone’s life.”

Local resident learns how to save a life – in 15 minutes

Words: Stephanie Schonfield

Images: Daniel Torrance-Cameron

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