A new interactive kiosk which teaches life-saving CPR skills in just 30 seconds has opened at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary today.
The easy-to-use kiosk is located in the hospital’s main concourse, and is available for patients, visitors, staff, and members of the public to use. It is the first of its kind in Scotland, and uses an in-built mannequin and screen to give step-by-step guidance on how to perform CPR.
CPR – or cardiopulmonary resuscitation – is used when someone has a cardiac arrest and their heart stops beating. CPR helps keep oxygenated blood flowing to the brain, heart, and other vital organs until an ambulance arrives.
The innovative kiosk has been introduced by NHS Grampian’s resuscitation team, and funded by NHS Grampian Charity through generous public donations.
Louise Waldie, resuscitation officer at NHS Grampian, says, “Many people think that CPR is something only healthcare professionals or trained first-aiders can do, but that’s not the case.
“Anyone can learn the basics of CPR, and this kiosk is designed to show just how quick and straightforward it can be. In just 30 seconds, someone can gain the skills and confidence to step in during an emergency.”
More than 3,500 people in Scotland experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest every year, with more than 80% of these happening at home. Cardiac arrest can happen suddenly and without warning, and early CPR can significantly improve a person’s chance of survival.
Lisa Duthie, NHS Grampian Charity Lead, says, “CPR is one of the most important skills anyone can learn. In an emergency, those first few minutes can make all the difference, and having the confidence to act could help save someone’s life.
“We’re proud to have funded this kiosk thanks to the kindness and generosity of our supporters. Every donation helps us fund projects like this that go above and beyond core NHS services to improve care and wellbeing for people across Grampian.”
The CPR kiosk is free to use, and can be found in the main concourse at ARI.
You can learn more about cardiac arrest and CPR on the NHS Inform website.