More than 1,300 school pupils recently received defibrillator and CPR demonstrations with St John Ambulance Cymru trainers as part of the charity’s Defibruary campaign launch in Pembrokeshire.

Pupils in years 7-11 at Haverfordwest High VC School received key information about the annual campaign, which aims to raise awareness of these vital lifesaving skills and the importance of early intervention when someone has suffered a cardiac arrest.

St John Ambulance Head of Response Operations, Darren Murray said: “It was a fantastic way to launch our annual Defibruary campaign and the pupils were keen to get hands-on and have a go at putting these skills to work in our demonstration sessions.
St John Ambulance Head of Response Operations, Darren Murray said: “It was a fantastic way to launch our annual Defibruary campaign and the pupils were keen to get hands-on and have a go at putting these skills to work in our demonstration sessions.” (Pic supplied)

The first aid charity for Wales is organising a range of events during February to help raise awareness of the importance of defibrillator and CPR skills.

The campaign also urges people to learn where the nearest defibrillator to them is located via The Circuit and ensure any they are responsible for are registered, so that emergency services can direct people to the nearest one in an emergency.

Pupils in years 7-11 at Haverfordwest High VC School received key information about the annual campaign, which aims to raise awareness of these vital lifesaving skills and the importance of early intervention when someone has suffered a cardiac arrest.
Pupils in years 7-11 at Haverfordwest High VC School received key information about the annual campaign, which aims to raise awareness of these vital lifesaving skills and the importance of early intervention when someone has suffered a cardiac arrest. (Pic supplied)

The Defibruary campaign is run because of people like Janice John, who a decade ago, suffered a cardiac arrest at home. Fortunately, her husband Keith knew how to administer CPR and put these skills to work until an ambulance crew arrived with a defibrillator.

Janice and Keith had both completed first aid training as they were St John Ambulance Cymru volunteers and volunteer first responders, but they never expected these skills would be needed so close to home.

Fast forward ten years and Janice is still an active volunteer and also works to help others with the charity's Welfare and Falls Rapid Response Service in the Pembrokeshire area.

St John Ambulance
St John Ambulance Head of Response Operations, Darren Murray said: “We would like to thank the school for welcoming our team and helping us to share these important messages with the students, who will hopefully be more comfortable to act if they find themselves in an emergency situation in future.” (Pic supplied)

Janice, who has since purchased a defibrillator just in case something like this should happen at home again, said: "It's so important to learn these basic first aid skills and it’s vital to administer first aid as soon as possible to give people a better chance of survival."

To find out more about the campaign, visit: www.sjacymru.org.uk/defibruary