When a person has a cardiac arrest, there are a few vital minutes to save them. Anyone can save a life, you just need a few simple skills and North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) has teamed up with BBC Radio Merseyside and Merseytravel to help the people of Merseyside learn these by offering free CPR sessions throughout February.

The campaign aims to train hundreds of ‘Mersey Heartbeats’ with simple one hour sessions taking place three times a day at various locations across Merseyside over a four week period from today, Monday 4 February, all of which are completely free.

Just simply follow this link, www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/bbc-radio-merseyside-18443713535, find the session you’d like to attend, book your place and come along. Professionals from NWAS will talk you through exactly what to do in the event of a cardiac arrest, including how to do CPR and use a defibrillator.

Robert Hussey, Community Resuscitation Manager for North West Ambulance Service said: “Every single second counts in the event of a cardiac arrest as chances of survival are reduced by 10 per cent with each passing minute which is why it’s so important that members of the public are able to step in and begin life-saving CPR even before we arrive on scene.

“NWAS is passionate about making people aware of these simple skills that save lives and we’re really pleased to be linking up with BBC Radio Merseyside and our other partners on this campaign to give free CPR training to hundreds of people across Merseyside.

“The aim of the training sessions is for more people to feel confident enough to step in and help when the worst does happen which will ultimately save lives.”

In the event of a cardiac arrest, it is important to dial 999 as soon as possible and our emergency medical dispatchers will give all the necessary instructions. They will also advise if there is a defibrillator nearby and how to access it.

Pauline McAdam, Assistant Editor for BBC Radio Merseyside said: “BBC Radio Merseyside is really pleased to be able to work with our friends at North West Ambulance Service to help train people and to raise awareness of this issue.

“It’s so easy to think that you’ll never be the person who needs to know how to help but it could so easily happen. This training shows that some really basic knowledge can save another life. In minutes! So we want to learn, and help people overcome their fear that they may not be able to help. Instead we want to get the message out there that anyone can save a life!”

The sessions, which are led by healthcare professionals, explain the basic concepts of CPR and defibrillation giving attendees the opportunity to practice their skills on specialist manikins.

Book your place today. You never know, it could just save a life!