CPR, recovery position and bandaging

This is the mannequin we used for practicing our first aid. I have saved her from severe choking and performed Cardiopulmonary resuscitation on her several times today. Apparently, in TV programmes the success rate of chest compressions and artificial breathing is around 75%. Unfortunately, in real life, it is much lower.

Outside a hospital, only about a third of people who collapse with a cardiac arrest will have a CPR attempt made on them by a bystander. It is only performed properly by about a third of these bystanders.

People are often reluctant to help as the protocols used to recommend artificial respiration (breathing into the casualty's mouth). You don't have to do this anymore and it is hoped that this might increase the number of people willing to have a try.

I hope I never have to use this training, but it could make a very big difference to a work colleague, member of my family, friend or a stranger if I at least had a go.

The UK Red Cross have a video on what to do (CPR video)