We can teach you in two hours how to save lives by doing CPR and using a public-access defibrillator. Those skills are not difficult. You just need to take it step-by-step and be confident that your intervention will give the patient the best possible chance of surviving. We use one manikin per learner and can let you experience how it feels to do CPR on people of different ages and builds. We’ll teach you how heart attacks happen and when they might lead to cardiac arrest. You’ll learn why chest compressions alone are OK, but their effectiveness is greatly enhanced with mouth-to-mouth or similar ventilation. It’s not just about the mechanics of CPR: it’s knowing when to start; how to minimise any interruptions; and how to respond to a relapse if there’s an initially-successful outcome. The range of public-access defibrillators on the market is huge, but they all work in essentially the same way. If you have access to one from a particular manufacturer then there’s a good chance that we can tailor the training accordingly. However, the key principles are common to all. We can explain how and why the defibrillator works. If you’re thinking of buying one for your work environment then we’d be happy to advise on the options and how to ensure that it’s always ready for use. We’ll also show you how to find out the location of your nearest public-access defibrillators if you’re in an unfamiliar location. Equally important is the handover to the responding ambulance crew. They can quickly get more information about the patient, but what you tell them on arrival is vitally important. Even with the best possible training - and regardless of the outcome - performing CPR and defibrillation can be emotionally draining. We will encourage you to have a debrief with colleagues, friends or family to help ensure your own recovery.