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Resuscitation Programme Background
Approximately 10,000 people die from cardiovascular disease every year in Ireland and it is estimated that 5,000 of these deaths are from a sudden cardiac arrest. 70% of cardiac arrests in Ireland occur out of hospital and usually in the presence of a family member or friend so if you know how to perform CPR you may be able to help save a life.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is a simple, easily learned emergency procedure used when someone’s breathing and heartbeat stop suddenly. If CPR is started promptly after a cardiac arrest it can sustain life until medical help arrives.
In situations such as a cardiac arrest, drowning, electrocution, suffocation and allergic reactions, CPR can be a vital link in the chain of survival to save a life. If you would like to learn this valuable skill please look through our list of courses and contact one of our affiliated training sites who will be able to assist you in learning CPR.
Our History of Training
The Irish Heart Foundations Resuscitation Programme has been in existence since 1995 when it was established to train members of the public in bystander Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). The aim of the programme was, and still remains to this day to reduce the number of deaths from cardiac arrest in the community by having as many members of the public trained in the life saving skill of CPR. Since the establishment of the programme we have trained over 100,000 people in the skills of both Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).
In 1999 the Irish Heart Foundation affiliated to the American Heart Association as its first ‘International Training Organisation’ (ITO). All training is completed following AHA/IHF guidelines. This world-wide accreditation is a great asset to the Irish Heart Foundation and also to the hospitals, medical, ambulance and paramedic resuscitation programmes nationwide.
THE CHAIN OF SURVIVAL
Our training programme is based on the American Heart Association’s ‘Chain of Survival’ concept which consists of four vital links to save a life.
1. Early Access
Early access involves recognising that a person is in cardiac arrest and calling for help. Treatment can be more effective if given quickly and every minute counts!
2. Early CPR
CPR is most effective when it is started immediately after the victim’s collapse. Early CPR provides rescue breathing and chest compressions to the victim. In many cases CPR alone will not will not resuscitate the patient. It will help to keep the victim's brain and heart supplied with blood and oxygen until medical help arrives.
3. Early Defibrillation
Early defibrillation saves lives and involves trained personnel delivering an electric shock to the patient's chest to help restore the normal function of the heart. Early defibrillation is the link in the Chain of Survival that is most likely to improve survival rates.
4. Early Advanced Care
Early advanced care includes basic life support measures plus more specialised care which may be provided by doctors, nurses, paramedics, or other appropriately trained rescuers.
You are vital to the success of the Chain of Survival. As 70% of cardiac arrests occur out of the hospital environment ‘Early Access’ and ‘Early CPR’ may be in your hands. The Chain of Survival is only as strong as its weakest link and if any of the links are missing when someone suffers a sudden cardiac arrest the chance of survival is limited.
IHF RESUSCITATION STRUCTURE
The Resuscitation Training Programme is administered by the Irish Heart Foundation with assistance from the Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ACLS) Councils and Faculties. The programme is greatly supported by a large community of BLS and ACLS Instructors.
