Keeping campus alive: Warwick First Aid Society complete 24-hour CPR fundraiser

Warwick First Aid Society has raised nearly £300 for St John Ambulance after completing a 24-hour CPR marathon event on the Piazza.

The fundraising challenge started at midday on 11 March, finishing 24 hours later at midday on 12 March.  

First Aid Society has had a long-lasting connection to the charity, with the 24-hour event being a tradition for the group.

The event aimed to teach campus-goers how to perform CPR, allowing them to participate while also learning practical, life-saving skills. The society’s actions have helped raise awareness of how basic first aid can break down barriers and stigmas.

The 24-hour stint included hands-only CPR, also known as no-breath CPR, which is the recommended delivery in most cases.  The method, performed by a bystander, has been proven to be as effective as CPR with breaths, with the NHS recommending someone who is not confident to attempt hands-only CPR.

Alongside these efforts, the society played music ranging from 100 to 120 beats per minute, which is said to be especially effective for new learners. These included hits such as ‘Baby Shark’, ‘Another One Bites the Dust’ by Queen, and ‘Stayin’ Alive’ by the Bee Gees.

The tradition also came with some friendly competition, as societies competed to perform the longest stint of uninterrupted CPR. The record was first held by First Aid Society, at 55 minutes, but was beaten at the eleventh hour by Ultimate Frisbee with a time of one hour and three minutes – a record which will surely be contested next year.

One society member told The Boar that ‘learning is the goal’, with the experience provided to students during the event potentially able to be used to save a life in the future

Following on from the event, First Aid Society are aiming to encourage more potential members to attend events, such as their weekly first aid sessions which provide basic medical skills.

They are also hoping to return to helping out with Students’ Union events like POP!, a practice they used to engage in more before Covid. Society members have also volunteered directly with St John Ambulance in the past, as well as gaining invaluable first aid qualifications.

First Aid Society has hailed the challenge as a success, with the event reaching a large footfall on campus and hundreds of pounds being raised for charity.

One society member told The Boar that “learning is the goal”, with the experience provided to students during the event potentially able to be used to save a life in the future.