A TRAINING session to turn people in Worcestershire into life-savers has been hailed as a success by its organisers.

The first training and awareness session hosted by Upton-based Community First Responders Tim Hodges and Steve Madeley took place at Upton Baptist Church Hall on Tuesday.

The CFRs, both trained by the West Midlands Ambulance Service, want to educate the public in CPR techniques.

As previously reported the men set themselves a challenge to train 120 local residents in basic lifesaving techniques, Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) within the next few months.

Residents from Upton and surrounding areas watched video presentations and practical demonstrations and participated in 'have-a-go sessions' on resuscitation manikins.

The aim was to give them confidence in knowing what to do should they witness a cardiac arrest.

Mr Hodges and Mr Madeley, both members of the South Worcestershire Ambulance Local Emergency Response Team, explained about cardiac arrest and how to use CPR and about the use of an automated external defibrillator. They also answered questions on general emergency first aid.

Both spoke of the importance of public access defibrillator (PAD) sites which are increasing throughout towns and villages and that as many people as possible in those areas are trained to use them.

British Heart Foundation Figures show there are over 30,000 cardiac arrests a year outside of hospital in homes and communities where the emergency medical services attempt resuscitation.

Mr Madeley said: "Time is critical. For every minute without CPR and defibrillation following cardiac arrest the victim's chance of survival is reduced by 10 per cent.

"This is why immediate action is needed by the general public prior to the arrival of the emergency services if the victim is to have any chance of survival.

"Estimations are that 18 per cent of British people don't know what CPR is and out of the 82 per cent that do know, 60 per cent have never been trained how to do it correctly.

"Our aim is to train more people in CPR and basic lifesaving so that if they are ever confronted with a potentially life-threatening medical emergency, they will have the confidence and knowledge in knowing what to do. This can and will save lives."

Members of the CFR team will be holding presentations and awareness sessions in and around Worcester, Malvern and Upton for the public. There will also be presentations on on paediatric and adult medical emergencies as well as CPR and defib training.

If organisations such as school PTAs. clubs or groups would like to organise basic life-saving presentations they can contact the CFRs can be contacted at upton.cfr@hotmail.com