Survey says majority of British Columbians have little confidence as bystanders in a medical emergency

Survey says majority of British Columbians have little confidence as bystanders in a medical emergency
CHEK

An automated external defibrillator (AED), which only 20 per cent of British Columbians say they are confident in using in a medical emergency. The result is from a survey conducted by Ipsos and St. John Ambulance. Photo courtesy CBC.

An automated external defibrillator (AED), which only 20 per cent of British Columbians say they are confident in using in a medical emergency. The result is from a survey conducted by Ipsos and St. John Ambulance. Photo courtesy CBC.

A recent survey is highlighting the need for more people in the province to learn the skills necessary to help save a life in a medical emergency.

A report conducted by Ipsos and St. John Ambulance shows 85 per cent of respondents in the province are very likely to call 911, but well under half are confident or skilled as a bystander when someone is suffering cardiac arrest.

The study reports 38 per cent of British Columbians have the confidence to perform Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), while only 20 per cent would be confident to use an automated external defibrillator (AED) in an emergency.

The survey reports 58 per cent of those who responded say they have had CPR training, but only a third have kept their training up-to-date.

The report says four per cent of British Columbians have an AED in their home and less than a quarter said they have taken training to use one.

More than half said not knowing how to use an AED or improper use leading to harm are the top two reasons why people would not use one in an emergency.

Fear of being sued by the victim accounted for 19 per cent of respondents not using an AED, and 11 per cent said they’d be worried about getting hurt.

St. John Ambulance has launched the Get HeartSET campaign for March and April to encourage residents to get emergency training or keeps skills up to date.

The organization says a sudden cardiac arrest happens every 12 minutes in Canada, which 40,000 people die from each year.

Andy NealAndy Neal

Recent Stories

Send us your news tips and videos!