Restart A Heart Day: Here's where free CPR demonstrations are happening across Scotland

Scotland’s only dedicated first aid charity will be hosting free CPR lessons nationwide as part of Restart a Heart Day.

St Andrew’s First Aid is providing the lifesaving skills at open demonstrations in Edinburgh and Glasgow on Thursday and Saturday.

In addition to free demonstrations, the charity will embark on a roadshow, during which staff will visit 42 other locations across the country.

Passers by will be invited to participate in CPR demonstrations and learn how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

The sessions mark Restart a Heart Day on October 16, which is an initiative created to increase the number of people who survive out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.

It follows a recent study that found respondents in Edinburgh and Fife were the least likely to act in a first-aid emergency, at just 10%.

Jim Dorman, director of operations and community engagement at St Andrew’s First Aid, said: “Our involvement and commitment to Restart a Heart Day has grown significantly in recent years.”

He said Scots are willing to step in and help in an emergency, but don’t have the “official skills to do so properly”.

“The importance of knowing how to administer CPR correctly can really be the difference between life and death for those receiving it. It’s our ambition to have as many people as possible learning these vital skills that could ultimately save a life.”