Our Impact News Heart Month 2026: Strengthening the chain of survival Throughout February, DSAA is supporting the British Heart Foundation’s Heart Month, a campaign that aims to raise awareness of cardiovascular health. This Heart Month, we are focusing on the importance of the ‘chain of survival’ and the essential role played by bystanders, communities and emergency services in improving survival following cardiac arrest. Around a quarter of the missions our team respond to are cardiac related, and, while our crew can be anywhere within Dorset and Somerset in approximately 20 minutes, the care a patient receives before are crew arrives can play a vital role in saving their life. Being prepared Creating heart safe communities starts long before a person becomes a patient. At DSAA, we are passionate about equipping communities across both counties with the skills and equipment needed to help save lives. Through our Life Support initiative we have: Delivered CPR awareness sessions to over 2,000 people across both counties Enabled the placement of 14 public access defibrillators in communities through our defibrillator purchase programme CPR and defibrillation skills Immediate action saves lives. Every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces a person’s chances of survival by around 10% and the risk of permanent brain damage increases. Our CPR and defibrillator awareness sessions are delivered by knowledgeable volunteers and staff who empower participants with the skills and confidence to act quickly in an emergency. Story from our community… Rumwell Farm Shop joins our Life Support initiative, hosting CPR sessions for the public and their staff and purchasing a defibrillator, helping to save lives in their area. Read more… Acting in an emergency Early CPR and defibrillation can double chances of survival. Performing CPR could save the life of a stranger – but it’s more likely to save someone you know. Most cardiac arrests happen at home, so your action could mean the difference between life and death for a friend or family member. Story from one of our patients… “Neil’s miraculous recovery was due to the quick reactions of everyone involved, and every single one of them are our heroes.”- Sarah When Neil Clements suffered a cardiac arrest at home, his partner Sarah’s quick recognition led her to her neighbour’s door, where Carolyn, a nurse, and her partner Mike were home and able to perform life-saving CPR on Neil, before emergency services arrived. Each person involved acted as a vital link in the chain of survival. Read more… Defibrillators in the community A defibrillator, or AED (automated external defibrillator), is a life-saving medical device that delivers a shock to a patient in cardiac arrest, helping to restore normal heart rhythm. Thanks to the generosity of the communities, organisations and individuals who have invested in our defibrillators, more people than ever have access to this vital equipment when every second counts. Story from our community… Dennis Wood realised the importance of local public access defibrillators when experiencing his own heart problems. After checking his own area and noticing a lack of these life-saving devices, he decided to purchase one for his community. Read more… Emergency services arrive on scene The final link in the chain of survival is the specialist care a patient receives from emergency responders and hospital teams. DSAA’s critical care crew deliver advanced treatment on scene and ensure patients are safely transferred to the most appropriate hospital for ongoing care. The care we provide... At Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, we provide life-saving critical care and rapid transfers for the most seriously ill and injured people across our region. Our expert teams of consultant level doctors and specialist practitioners go above and beyond to deliver hospital-level treatment, directly at the scene of an incident. Read More. Strengthening the chain This Heart Month is about strengthening every link in the chain of survival. From early recognition and CPR to defibrillation and specialist care, each action matters. Together, we can save lives. Get involved Learn CPR We offer CPR and Defibrillator Awareness Sessions for your organisation, community, or club. Join our community of life-savers. Find Out More Can't make it in person? Learn CPR in 15 minutes for free, online through the British Heart Foundation. Learn Now Manage Cookie Preferences