St Albans MP Daisy Cooper is calling for improved CPR education and training following a recent visit to Essex and Herts Air Ambulance’s North Weald airbase, where she refreshed her own CPR skills.
Ms Cooper said: "Having the skills and confidence to step in and help in instances of cardiac arrest really can make all the difference in saving someone’s life.
"It’s brilliant to see Essex and Herts Air Ambulance working to ensure all young people, in St Albans and across Hertfordshire, have the opportunity to develop this life-saving skill.
"A big thank you to the EHAAT team for hosting me and helping me practice my CPR skills.
"It really is something everyone can do, but all too often just don’t get the chance to learn."
New data shows that 34 per cent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients in Essex and Hertfordshire do not receive CPR from bystanders—often due to a lack of knowledge or confidence.
Following her visit, Ms Cooper raised questions in Parliament about the support and funding available to schools for delivering effective CPR training.
She has since agreed to join the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Air Ambulances as the first regional representative for Essex and Herts, which aims to raise awareness, influence policy and improve outcomes for air ambulance charities and their patients.
Adam Carr, critical care paramedic and CPR Smart programme lead at Essex and Herts Air Ambulance, said: "Early CPR can make the difference between life and death.
"With bystanders, we often see it come down to confidence – people worry they’ll get it wrong.
"If we can embed CPR skills early, we can arm future generations with the ability to be potential lifesavers."
The charity’s CPR Smart programme delivers free CPR and defibrillator training to schools across Essex and Hertfordshire and has already trained more than 400 CPR Smart Champions in over 50 schools.
The programme empowers teachers and sixth form students to become CPR Smart Champions, who then train the wider school community.
The charity is currently recruiting a paramedic to focus specifically on delivering CPR training in Hertfordshire schools.
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