Training for Community Centre Users

There are around 1,400 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) in Northern Ireland each year. Having someone trained in CPR and AED nearby can significantly increase the chance of survival. Following on from the installation of Defibrillators into Community Centres, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council will be hosting Basic First Aid including Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training.

This training is aimed at community organisations and individuals who use Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Community Centres. The training will be held on the following dates:

In Northern Ireland there is only approximately a 10% chance of surviving an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). The British Heart Foundation Northern Ireland states that every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces the chance of survival by up to 10%. However, in some cases, early CPR and defibrillation can more than double the chances of survival. Therefore, having a firm understanding of CPR and the confidence to operate a defibrillator correctly can be crucial in an emergency.

Deputy Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Smyth commented, “A sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone at any time, regardless of your age. This training equips you with the knowledge and skills which could one day prove to be lifesaving. I would encourage community organisation and facilities’ staff to avail of this indispensable training.”

To register for this training visit antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/FirstAidTraining.