It is a situation where every second sways the balance of survival.
When someone’s heart stops, doing the right thing can mean the difference between life and death.
Now, a new scheme has been unveiled in Dundee to try to give more people the chance to learn life-saving CPR.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has teamed up with the British Heart Foundation to offer training for the public at every station in the city.
The Tele caught up with station manager Craig Thomson at Dundee’s Balmossie fire station and got a glimpse of what the public can expect from the new initiative.
Craig said that the more members of the public who took the training, the better.
He has seen himself many examples of situations where CPR could mean the difference between life and death.
It could be in the course of pulling someone out of an inferno or it could be at the scene of a horrific road traffic collision — but it could also be in everyday life that the skills could come in handy.
He said: “There was one of our firefighters who was playing golf at Ballumbie Castle.
“He needed to perform CPR on a fellow golfer who had suffered a cardiac arrest on the course.
“Luckily he had the appropriate training and he ended up saving the person’s life.
“It is training that could mean saving the life of a colleague, a stranger, a friend or those who are unlucky enough to have a family member experience it.
“It is about overcoming that fear by teaching you what to do, and by following simple steps, you can save someone’s life.”
Death caused by cardiac arrest is one that is all too common in Scotland.
According to Scottish Government statistics, every year 3,500 people suffer a cardiac arrest outside of hospital, requiring attempted resuscitation. Out of that number, only 175 people, or 5%, survive.
The new training scheme will be available at every fire station in Scotland.
The whole session only takes half an hour and is delivered through DVD and a Call Push Rescue training kit. Along with the video material, the training kit contains a dummy to practise CPR techniques on, with different settings for practising CPR for adults and children.
Trainees know they are using the correct compression technique when the dummy makes a clicking noise.
At the end of the session, trainees will be capable of administering life-saving CPR.
It centres on a process that involves calling for assistance, making sure it is safe to approach the casualty and administering the chest compression technique that could save a life.
The new scheme is expected to save 1,000 lives by 2020.
Craig said it had already proven to be a success. He added: “We had members of the public attend the station last Friday to mark European Restart a Heart Day for the inaugural training session.
“We had sea cadets and also voluntary members of the police force and they were very positive about the training and it went well.
“We are planning to run more events in the future and invite people up to the station.
“We want to engage community groups and classes.
“People in our area can call 01382 322 222 and we would be happy to arrange a session for them.”
People can also contact their local station for further information.