Lifesaving skills on show for Restart a Heart Day

Friday, 16 October 2026 07:45

Demonstrations of how to give lifesaving CPR are happening in St Helier and St Brelade today (16 October).

For 'Restart a Heart Day', medics, ambulance staff, firefighters and the Jersey Heart Support group are at stands on Brook Street, West's Centre and at the Enid Quenault centre at Les Quennevais, between 9am until 2pm.

Last year in Jersey, 149 people suffered cardiac arrest in the community, where survival rates are less than 10%.

The aim is to give people the confidence and practical skills to recognise a cardiac arrest, call for help, and perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and use an automated external defibrillator (AED).

Around 80% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the home, meaning the person most likely to witness the collapse is a family member, friend, or colleague rather than a healthcare professional.

Early interventional is crucial - Every minute without CPR and defibrillation significantly reduces the chance of survival, while prompt CPR can help maintain blood flow to vital organs until emergency services arrive.

Conor Quinn, Resuscitation Officer, HCJ Resuscitation Service, said: “When someone suffers a cardiac arrest, immediate action from bystanders can make the difference between life and death.

Through this event we want to show that anyone can learn these skills. CPR is easy to perform and if a collapsed person receives bystander CPR before they reach us in hospital their chances of survival are much greater.”

Channel 103 has attended a previous 'Restart a Heart Day' session: