Over 800 people trained in lifesaving CPR at Restart a Heart Day event at Colchester Zoological Society

The CPR training event took place on Restart a Heart Day on Friday 16 October. East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST) staff, volunteers and representatives from the East of England Ambulance Service Charity taught visitors at two locations across the zoo.

Visitors learned how to recognise a cardiac arrest, give CPR and use a public access defibrillator.

Every year, around 40,000 people have an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the UK, but fewer than one in 10 survive. Starting CPR quickly and using a defibrillator can more than double a person's chance of survival, making bystanders vital before emergency services arrive.

Although cardiac arrest can happen anywhere, around 80% happen at home. This means a loved one, friend or neighbour is often the first person who can help.

The event was part of Restart a Heart Month, a national campaign that aims to give more people the confidence and skills to act in an emergency and was supported by the EEAST of England Ambulance Charity

Colchester Zoological Society, one of the region's leading wildlife attractions, welcomed the event as part of its commitment to supporting the local community.

Claire Crawford, Locality Clinical Manager for north east Essex at EEAST, said:

"This event showed what can be achieved when EEAST, the East of England Ambulance Service Charity and community partners work together to help more people learn how to save a life.

"The response from visitors at Colchester Zoological Society was incredible, and we were delighted to train more than 800 people in CPR skills.

"To put that into perspective, at many public events we would expect to train a few hundred people, so reaching more than 800 is a fantastic achievement.

"Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere and without warning. What people do in those first few minutes can make all the difference.

"Knowing that hundreds of people left the zoo with the skills and confidence to help in an emergency is incredibly rewarding.

"I would like to thank Colchester Zoological Society for hosting us and helping us reach so many people with this important message."

Luke Wilkinson, Visitor Services Director at CZS, said:

"We were proud to support Restart a Heart Day and help our visitors learn skills that could one day save a life.

"The level of engagement throughout the day was fantastic, and it was encouraging to see so many people take the time to learn CPR and how to use a defibrillator. We are grateful to the EEAST staff and volunteers who made the event such a success."

For more information about cardiac arrest, CPR and defibrillators, visit: https://www.eastamb.nhs.uk/your-service/cardiac-arrest