Improved rates of bystander CPR could help save 13% of cardiac arrest patients, researchers say today as campaigners seek to train thousands more in the life-saving techniques.
The day of action will see 100,000 people trained in CPR in a bid to prevent about 10,000 deaths a year in the UK.
The analysis by Warwick University studied the circumstances of some 11,000 cardiac arrests that took place out of hospital.
The findings, published in the journal Resuscitation, found that the absence of bystander CPR meant 13% of patients could not be saved leaving the patients with "almost zero" chance of survival while they waited for the emergency services.
Researcher Professor Gavin Perkins said: “This study shows that thousands of people are dying because it is too late for them to be saved when the emergency services arrive, and this is associated with low bystander intervention.
“The community response to cardiac arrest is a critical step in the chain of survival. Performing immediate CPR when someone suffers a cardiac arrest can in some cases double the chance of survival.”
A poll conducted to support the day found that 53% had never received CPR training while 44% said British reserve might make bystanders reluctant to help.
Joe Mulligan, of the British Red Cross, said: “The benefits of first aid, including chest compressions for someone who is unresponsive and not breathing, are well recognised.
"This is why we are also calling for more opportunities for people to learn first aid throughout their lifetime, particularly in schools across the UK where it should be more widely taught in existing subjects or after school activities.”
Rajagopal S., et al. Characteristics of patients who are not resuscitate in out of hospital cardiac arrest and opportunities to improve community response to cardiac arrest. Resuscitation October 2016
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