Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) is proud to announce its participation in ResusReady, a nationwide initiative from the Resuscitation Council UK designed to tackle inequalities in CPR training and defibrillator access across the UK.
The campaign encourages organisations and individuals to commit to CPR training and defibrillator awareness, helping to improve survival rates from out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.
By signing up to ResusReady, YAA is now officially recognised as an organisation committed to CPR education, with trained staff and defibrillators in place across its three main sites: Nostell in Wakefield, Topcliffe in Thirsk, and its head office in Elland, Halifax. All three locations are now featured on ResusReady’s interactive map, which highlights CPR-ready sites and pinpoints areas across the UK where greater training and awareness are still urgently needed.
To meet the campaign’s criteria, Yorkshire Air Ambulance has committed to providing annual CPR training to all staff, including both operational and office-based teams. The training is delivered by Stephen Kenworthy, one of the charity’s Technical Crew Members, and includes a presentation, hands-on CPR practice using training manikins, and guidance on how to confidently use a defibrillator.
In addition to staff training, Yorkshire Air Ambulance is also working to improve public understanding of CPR. A new educational video, featuring YAA Paramedic Andy Armitage, has been created to show adults the basics of CPR. It will be shown at events and on the Charity’s Mobile Education Unit throughout the summer, giving visitors a chance to understand more about essential lifesaving skills.
A second video, aimed at older primary and high school-aged children featuring YAA Paramedic Tammy Williams, will be shown during school presentations delivered by the Charity’s fundraising team. The video will raise awareness of CPR amongst younger audiences, and will aid them in understanding how to help in an emergency situation, alongside introducing them to the basics of CPR in an age-appropriate way.
Laura Wilson, HR Manager, at Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said, “We’re proud to be part of the ResusReady campaign and to offer all our staff, whether they’re in the air or behind the scenes, the opportunity to learn vital, life-saving skills. This is part of our broader commitment to staff wellbeing, professional development, and building confidence in responding to emergency situations, both at work and in everyday life.”
The ResusReady campaign is helping to tackle the gap in survival chances across the UK, where over 100,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur each year. Research shows that CPR is less likely to be performed in more deprived areas, reducing the chances of survival. By taking part in the campaign, organisations like YAA are helping to highlight where training and awareness are strongest and where more support is needed.
Yorkshire Air Ambulance encourages other organisations and individuals across the region to join the campaign and become ResusReady. To find out more or to make your own pledge, visit: www.resus.org.uk/resusready and for more information