In just one hour, 434 people completed a CPR relay and set a new world record. Over two days and one night, we trained more than 1,000 people in CPR as part of the Central London Alliance’s Saving Lives campaign. So the record attempt was not simply about numbers but about giving people a practical skill that could one day make the difference between life and death. Someone we trained has already used their new skills to help save a life.

Thank you to everyone who took part, volunteered and cheered us on. The record was a fantastic moment, but the real achievement is what it leaves behind: more than 1,000 people who now know what to do if someone’s heart stops.

The record attempt formed part of the Lady Mayor’s charity giving day, an annual celebration of charitable giving and volunteering in the City of London. As part of the day, Emma Hammett was honoured to be invited to Mansion House to teach CPR to the Lady Mayor of London, Dame Susan Langley, and her Mayoral Consort, Gary Langley.

“Breaking the world record is an incredible achievement, but the number that matters most is the volume of people who have walked away from this experience knowing how to perform CPR. We wanted to create something that brought people together, and also gave every participant something of genuine value – the ability to save lives.” Tony Matharu, Chairman and founder of Central London Alliance

Why CPR matters

In a recent survey from the British Heart Foundation, they found that 1 in 3 adults would not know how to help someone if they were unconscious and not breathing normally. 96% of them would call an ambulance, but the vast majority would not have a clue how to help whilst waiting for the ambulance to arrive.

The UK survival rates radically lag behind the rest of Europe. However, the key development is that more people undertake some form of practical or online first aid training and are able to start CPR as soon as possible if someone collapses and stops breathing.

In the UK alone, approximately 30,000 people suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest each year. Effective bystander CPR and the use of a defibrillator can more than double a casualty’s chance of survival. If someone is unconscious and not breathing it is imperative that you open their airway and commence CPR as quickly as possible. If you have access to a Defibrillator (AED), you should deploy that as quickly as possible and call for an ambulance.

An ambulance cannot always arrive in those first critical minutes. The people who can make the difference are those already there. That’s why every extra person who knows CPR matters.

Caitlin Hyem, Official Guinness World Records Adjudicator, said: “It was a real pleasure to witness such an impactful record attempt. Not only were the participants genuinely happy to have contributed to a Guinness World Records title, but they were also proud to have left with a skill that could save someone’s life – one of the most significant impacts they could have on another person.”

What everyone learnt

Each session covered the essential steps to take if someone collapses and is not breathing normally:

“The record is one moment. What we created over these two days has the potential to last a lifetime.” – Nadia Perrier, Director, Central London Alliance

A huge thank you to the Central London Alliance for creating their Saving Lives campaign. Thank you also to our brilliant trainers and to every person who gave up their time to learn a skill that could save a life.

Would you like to learn CPR?

• Book in-person or workplace training at firstaidforlife.org.uk.
• Learn online at your own pace with our CPD-accredited courses at onlinefirstaid.com.

About us

Award-winning first aid training tailored to your needs. Please visit our site and learn more about our practical and online courses. It is vital to keep your skills current and refreshed.

It is strongly advised that you attend a fully regulated Practical or Online First Aid course to understand what to do in a medical emergency. Please visit firstaidforlife.org.uk or call 0208 675 4036 for more information about our courses.

First Aid for Life is a multi-award-winning, fully regulated first aid training provider. Our trainers are highly experienced medical, health and emergency services professionals who will tailor the training to your needs. Courses for groups or individuals at our venue or yours.

First Aid for Life provides this information for guidance and it is not in any way a substitute for medical advice. First Aid for Life is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made, or actions taken based on this information.

Author: Emma Hammett