Here at Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, cardiac is close to our hearts. In the UK, around 200 people suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) every day and currently, only 1 in 10 survive. Every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces a person’s chances of survival by around 10% and the risk of permanent brain damage increases.

Last year, DSAA were called out to 2,909 missions. 21% of these incidents were cardiac related: that’s around 611 patients whose lives depended on our crew’s rapid response and intervention. This February, we’re joining the British Heart Foundation for Heart Month, to shine a light on how DSAA is making a difference and how you can be part of the solution.

Ollie Zorab, Specialist Practitioner in Critical Care at DSAA notes that:

Responding to patients with heart related emergencies (such as heart attacks and cardiac arrest) represent around 1 in 5 missions our team attend. Everyone at DSAA plays a vital part in ensuring that as many people as possible can survive these time critical emergencies.

Our volunteers and engagement teams work with communities to provide Life Support CPR awareness sessions and community defibrillator packages to ensure that bystander care is available in the vital moments following a patient’s collapse. The DSAA critical care team and pilots deliver intensive care to patients in their home whilst ensuring they safely reach the most appropriate hospital. Whilst our Patient and Family Liaison Nurses provide aftercare and support to patients and their families helping them to recover from these life changing events. 

Everyone in Dorset and Somerset can play a part in helping someone survive a cardiac arrest by learning CPR, either online using Resuscitation Council (UK) Lifesaver or by attending a Life Support awareness session, and making sure a defibrillator is ready near your home or work. Delivering CPR and treatment from a defibrillator in the moments before an ambulance arrives is likely to double a person’s chance of survival.

We’re committed to empowering communities to save lives

Whether we are attending cardiac emergencies in our helicopter and outreach cars, delivering knowledge through our CPR and Defibrillator Awareness Sessions or enabling communities and organisations to purchase defibrillators, DSAA’s mission is clear: to save and improve lives. 
When someone suffers cardiac arrest, the first moments are critical. While our Critical Care Team and the ambulance service deliver exceptional care, the actions taken before their arrival can mean the difference between life and death.

CPR and defibrillator awareness sessions

DSAA is committed to empowering our supporters with the knowledge and skills needed to act in an emergency. Request one of our sessions to learn how to deliver effective CPR and use an Automated External Defibrillator. We believe that by equipping the people of Dorset and Somerset with the skills and the confidence in delivering CPR and using lifesaving equipment, more lives can be saved. Every second counts.

Book your CPR session here

Defibrillators in your community 

Did you know your nearest defibrillator should be within a 3-minute walk? These easy to use devices deliver an electric shock to the heart in cardiac arrest, restoring a normal rhythm. Currently, not everyone experiencing a cardiac arrest gets immediate CPR and defibrillation. However, if both treatments are delivered together, we can double the rate of survival.

Here at DSAA we want everyone to have the opportunity to place a defibrillator in their community. That’s why we offer a Defibrillator Purchase Programme, helping individuals and groups bring this vital resource closer to home. By installing defibrillators in public spaces, we can ensure help is always within reach.

Learn more about our Defibrillator Package

Join DSAA and be a life-saver

Heart Month is a time to come together, raise awareness, and take action. Whether it’s learning CPR, helping to place a defibrillator in your area, or spreading the word, every effort counts. 

Let’s make a difference this Heart Month. Together, we can create communities that are ready to respond and, together, we can save lives.