The Paramedic Society (ParaSoc) at Anglia Ruskin University - Chelmsford, are back again for another 24 hours of continuous CPR in support of World Restart a Heart Day (16th October) - a day to bring about awareness for out of hospital cardiac arrests and the fact that only 1 in 10 survive them. 

An out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is the most serious, acute, life-threatening illness / condition there is. The condition leads to the overall stopping of adequate heart contractions and breathing causing inadequate cell perfusion and in most cases death. Survival rates to hospital discharge are 1 in 10, and with roughly 30,000 OHCA's every year in the UK only 3,000 of these patients are surviving to hospital discharge.

For every minute a patient is in cardiac arrest their chances of survival decrease by 10%. Therefore, we are highlighting the importance of early, effective delivery of CPR to save a life. In addition to this, the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) can further increase chances of survival by electrically stimulating the heart back into a perfusing rhythm. 

This year you may be wondering why we are not fundraising for the Air Ambulance or the British Heart Foundation - alike in pervious years. This year we are fundraising for SUPPORT OUR PARAS - a charity based in Colchester, Essex, designed to support serving and veteran members of the British Army's Parachute Regiments. 

"SUPPORT OUR PARAS does what it says on the tin. We support our Paras in The Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces through the welfare of veterans, serving soldiers and their families and widows, and through the maintenance of its regimental efficiency, ethos, spirit and heritage." - SUPPORT OUR PARAS.

Last year we had the absolute privilege of having multiple individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds come down and "muck in" with the 24 hours of CPR. These included members from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, the Royal Anglican Reserve Regiment, members from the London and East of England Ambulance Service and Open Road. 

Among these individuals was our amazing friend Joe Berry who was a serving Private in the Second Battalion Parachute Regiment (2PARA) at the time. Joe had travelled back from London from an appointment to Chelmsford to put in a herculean effort for ParaSoc and the CPRathon. Joe had never undertaken prolonged CPR in his life and decided to take part in the "who can do the longest stint of CPR" challenge. Firefighters from all over had taken part and delivered impressive solo-CPR times of up to 30 minutes closely followed by the Royal Anglican Reserves. At the time Joe had a "gammy" ear and infection (also not to mention a PICC line in situ) from recent training in South America. Regardless of this, he decided to try his hand at CPR and see how long he could do it for. Joe totalled 2 whole hours of extremely high quality, solo-CPR, much to the amazement and clinical concern from ourselves and everyone else present! Testament to Joe and his being, he undertook something new for the very first time and absolutely smashed it. He brought so much enthusiasm and energy to the event (not to mention a well needed break for us!) For Joe however, he still had some time to burn before bed so off he went to Colchester for his much beloved karaoke with friends. Throughout the night-time slog we received calls and videos from Joe singing along to karaoke, bringing us much needed amusement and morale! 

Sadly, Joe passed away earlier this year and left a huge hole in all our lives and hearts. With the CPRathon some months away we began to plan who we would fundraise for. Instantly we all thought of Joe and his presence at the last event and all agreed to fundraise for SUPPORT OUR PARAS. So this year we will be fundraising for SUPPORT OUR PARAS in memory and dedication of our much beloved friend and fellow "Para", Joe. 

100% of all the money we raise will go to SUPPORT OUR PARAS and will help to support Paras, their families and friends whatever they are going through. They are a charity incredibly close to our hearts so we hope you can spare some money and help our cause all whilst raising awareness for out of hospital cardiac arrests and early CPR and defibrillation. You can tune in to our 24 hour livestream of the event via our Facebook - @ParaSocARU 07:30 - 07:30 16th October - 17th October 2020. Thank you in advanced!!!

Love you Joe, this one's for you mate x

Further, information on CPR training courses and statistics can be found on the British Heart Foundation and London Ambulance Service Link: 

https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/conditions/cardiac-arrest

https://www.bhf.org.uk/how-you-can-help/how-to-save-a-life

https://www.londonambulance.nhs.uk/2020/01/29/we-release-new-stats-on-cardiac-arrests-showing-survival-rates-outside-of-hospital-reach-all-time-high/