As the fight to improve sudden cardiac arrest survival rates continues, UK Coaching is leading the charge by empowering communities with essential life-saving skills.

Thanks to our free online course, thousands more people now have the confidence to act in a heart emergency and the knowledge to save lives.

We are proud to have had nearly 25,000 people enrol in the course since its launch in May 2021, but we won't rest on our laurels. Educating people on the lifesaving skills required in a sudden cardiac arrest emergency is an ongoing journey. It demands innovative thinking, updated strategies, and continuous evolution of our learning products to ensure they remain current and effective.

Nearly five thousand learners have so far left feedback and suggestions for how we can improve the eLearning module. 

And following analysis of the feedback, we have made significant improvements to enhance the learning experience. 

Meanwhile, Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) have reviewed the course content to ensure it is accurate and aligns with current legislation and guidance.

One compelling theme to emerge from our eLearning course is the significant boost in learners' confidence in handling heart emergencies – underscoring the transformative impact of our free training.

The Joe Humphries Memorial Trust: The fight goes on

In the four years since we launched the online course in collaboration with JHMT, the charity has continued its tireless work to create a new generation of lifesavers and raise awareness of Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS), a group of lethal heart conditions that can affect seemingly fit and healthy young people under the age of 35.

A primary focus of their work is to increase the provision of public access automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in communities.

“When we lost Joe in 2012, at that time defibrillators were unheard of as very few people knew about them. We (JHMT) placed our first one in Rothley village centre in 2013.

“Since then, the availability of AEDs has significantly increased, greatly enhancing the safety and preparedness of local communities.”

Building lifesaving connections

One of the major factors for the low survival rate – highlighted in international and UK research – is that there are gaps in areas of communities having access to AEDs, including a lack of training opportunities for people in basic lifesaving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills.  

To address this, JHMT are working with the public health team at Leicester City Council and East Midlands Ambulance Service to identify the current locations of defibrillators across the city and where there are gaps in their provision. Steps have already been taken to provide a better distribution of devices which are accessible 24/7 in case of a cardiac emergency.

Steve adds: “There are plenty of static defibrillators – those that are available 9-5 in a business or a facility – but one of JHMT’s key priorities, 13 years on, remains increasing the number of AEDs in those neighbourhoods identified by key public health data to ensure a greater equity of access, as well as increasing the opportunities to free lifesaving training for residents.” 

The charity has made great strides in its drive to make sports clubs throughout Leicestershire ‘heart safe’.

Currently, over 50% of Leicestershire cricket clubs have public access defibrillators on site. 

“However, that means half still do not!” says Steve, “and we are committed to working with more clubs and other groups across all sports to help raise that percentage even higher with the ultimate goal of creating a level playing field where everyone is equipped and prepared should someone fall victim to a cardiac arrest.”

A key component of club safety protocols, says Steve, should be ensuring clubs have an AED and that everyone is trained in how to use it, and to perform CPR effectively.

“It is paramount to our work to convey the message that we want clubs to provide the safest possible environment for everyone. That’s why the fight goes on.”

Critical that clubs register their AED

The Circuit register, developed by the British Heart Foundation in collaboration with the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives, UK ambulance services, the Resuscitation Council UK, and St John Ambulance, allows clubs and organisations to register their AEDs on the growing centralised national defibrillator network.

It is crucial for clubs to register their AEDs, as this ensures emergency services have the information on their system and can direct people to the nearest available AED when a 999 call comes in.

Steve says he hears far too often reports of a cardiac arrest, where there has been an AED nearby, but that it wasn’t used because it hadn’t been registered. “That life could have been saved.”

It is also crucial that in community sports clubs, someone is appointed as the guardian of the AED. This may be the safety officer or safeguarding lead who takes ownership and registers the device and has primary responsibility for its maintenance and upkeep.

Everyone can be prepared by being aware of where your nearest AED is in your community in case of an emergency. To find out more about the whereabouts of a local defibrillator you can go to the defibfinder webpage, but this is not intended for use in an emergency. The Ambulance Service will have that information and will be able to give you the pin code for someone to unlock the nearest available AED. 

“Remember time is of the essence when someone falls victim to a cardiac arrest. There is no time to search online for the nearest AED, as locator maps or apps may be outdated. If a person is not responding or breathing normally call 999 and start CPR compressions immediately. 

“It’s about making every second count,” says Steve.

Building a heart-safe future together

Now that we've refreshed your memory of our Sudden Cardiac Arrest online training course, we hope you feel inspired to refresh your learning. This is a skill everyone should have, and taking just 30 minutes out of your life might one day help you save a life.

Remember, initiating CPR and using an AED within the first 3-5 minutes after a sudden cardiac arrest can increase someone’s chances of survival by 68%.