One third of Welsh adults have never learned CPR, new study reveals

Nearly one third of adult in Wales have never learnt CPR, according to new figures released by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) Cymru.

It is estimated that around 800,000 adults in Wales have yet to learn the vital life-saving skill.

The shocking figures have been revealed as BHF Cymru calls on the nation to learn CPR during Heart Month in February, with the message to help protect the heart of someone you love.

The survey, which was carried out for the BHF by Censuswide, found that Wales’ Gen Z (age 16-26) is the most confident generation in performing CPR, with 68 per cent of respondents confident in their ability.

This is compared to 46 per cent of the baby boomer generation (age 59-77) and 53 per cent of the Gen X generation (age 43-58) and 66 per cent of Millennials (age 27-42).

The survey also suggests an alarming number of households don’t have anyone who knows how to perform CPR.

Of those respondents in Wales who answered that they hadn’t learnt CPR, nearly half (46 per cent) then said that no-one in their household had learnt the lifesaving skill either.

Tragically, just one in 20 people survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Wales, a statistic the BHF Cymru is determined to improve by giving everyone the opportunity to learn CPR.

The survey also found a number of generational and geographical differences in CPR awareness:

• Gen Z (age 16-26) is the generation best trained in CPR, with 73 per cent having learnt, compared to 55 per cent of the baby boomer (age 59-77) generation.
• Although 95% of respondents in Wales believe that learning CPR is important, less than half (48 per cent) could pick the correct first step of CPR – making sure it’s safe to approach and checking for a response from an unconscious person.
• Northern Ireland is the best trained part of the UK, with 74 per cent of respondents saying they have learnt CPR.
• Across the UK, over 23 million UK adults still haven’t learnt the lifesaving skill of CPR

There are over 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests every year across the UK, with around 80 per cent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happening in the home

Performing quick CPR and defibrillation in the event of a cardiac arrest can be the difference between life and death.

The BHF is now urging the public to learn CPR for free in just 15 minutes – using its online tool, RevivR. The tool means anyone can learn lifesaving CPR skills, anywhere, anytime – and all that is needed is a mobile phone and a cushion.

RevivR teaches you how to recognise a cardiac arrest, gives feedback on chest compressions and outlines the correct steps of using a defibrillator, giving anyone the confidence to step in and help to save a life.

Adam Fletcher, Head of British Heart Foundation Cymru, said: “Every moment matters when someone has a cardiac arrest, and being able to step in and perform CPR could be the difference between life and death.

“A cardiac arrest can affect anyone, at any time, so we want as many people to learn CPR as possible.

“Not enough of us are confident and ready to use this skill.

“With our tool RevivR, all you need to learn how to save a life is a spare 15 minutes, a phone and a cushion.

“Give it a try during your next coffee or lunch break – it could help you save a life, a loved one.”

More information about RevivR can be found on the British Heart Foundation website, here.