An SNP Government-funded film teaching people lifesaving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills to the tune of The Proclaimers hit I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) has encouraged more Scots to step up and save a life.
Since the online film, which is available here, was launched in April, more than half of those who watched it said it increased their confidence in giving CPR.
Of those who watched the film, 96% agreed they would rather try giving CPR than do nothing, while 56% said it improved their knowledge of when and how to perform CPR.
CPR can more than double the chances of survival following a cardiac arrest. The film is part of Scotland's Strategy for Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest, a five-year plan to equip 500,000 people with CPR skills and save an additional 1,000 lives by 2020.
Minister for Public Health Joe FitzPatrick MSP said:
"This film set out to increase awareness of CPR and it's great to see that more than half of those who watched it felt more confident giving CPR, with a significant number saying it helped them better understand when and how to do CPR.
"I'd encourage anyone who hasn't watched it yet to do so - it's less than two minutes and the skills you'll learn could save a life one day."
Kenneth Gibson MSP added:
“Each year, 3,500 people are treated by the Scottish Ambulance Service for a cardiac arrest and only one in 12 survive. A crucial factor is delay in treatment. For every 60 seconds that passes before CPR is performed, the chance of survival falls by 10%.
“It’s heartening that watching the film has such a positive impact on people’s confidence in giving CPR when emergency strikes.
“Within North Ayrshire, the Largs and Garnock Valley First Responder Units provide training to groups as well as individuals including children, as does K:A Leisure. I would encourage everyone to view the clip. If you should feel inspired, please also visit:
For more information on K:A Leisure see:
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