RESIDENTS of Bude have been doing their bit to learn what to do in a medical emergency.

Crew members from South West Ambulance Service Trust were out in force providing potentially lifesaving lessons to local residents.

On the afternoon of March 7, Bude Library was filled to capacity as Cornish ambulance staff and local first responders provided a highly instructive and hands-on 90-minute presentation on the use of defibrillators and how to give CPR in the event of an emergency.

The event saw 40 local people participate in the session.

The ambulance service has stressed the importance of such sessions, saying that 38 per cent of UK adults have never had CPR training.

A spokesperson from the service said: “Every year, thousands of people experience a cardiac arrest outside of hospital. When it happens, the actions taken in the first few minutes can mean the difference between life and death.

“Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere - at home, at work, or in the community.

In the UK, only around one in ten people survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. When early CPR and a defibrillator are used within the first three to five minutes, survival rates can increase up to 70 per cent, yet still 38 per cent of UK adults have never had CPR training.

They continued: “Those first few minutes matter. By learning CPR and how to use a defibrillator, you could be the person who keeps someone alive until help arrives.

“Our aim is to empower individuals and communities, reduce health inequalities, and improve survival from cardiac arrest across the South West.”

Tony Pendleton, who organised the vital session, said: “Everyone was highly appreciative of the confidence-inspiring way they communicated their life-saving skills.

“Our special thanks to the team from SW Ambulance - and to Bude Library staff for hosting the event 'out of hours'!”