Isle of Wight FIRE stations and St Mary’s Hospital opened their doors on Tuesday (16) to teach more than one thousand Islanders how to save a life.

Pupils from schools across the Island joined fire crews to learn how to give CPR. Members of the public were also able to attend training sessions.

This year’s World Restart a Heart Day was supported by cardiac arrest survivor, Laura Summers.

In June, the Sandown Bay Academy staff member collapsed after suffering a cardiac arrest. If not for the quick reaction of her colleagues, access to a nearby defibrillator and a speedy response from the IW Ambulance Service, Laura would not have survived.

Head of Ambulance Training and Community Response Services, Louise Walker, said: "I am enormously grateful to all the Tutors and CFR’s who helped to deliver the training sessions, the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service for accommodating the Tutors and all those who supported us to make this event such an amazing success.

"It really would not have been possible if it wasn’t for everyone working together. The enthusiasm of the school staff and children who participated was wonderful and the public engagement really was quite humbling to see."

Without any medical intervention, chances of surviving a cardiac arrest are between five and seven per cent. With the correct use of a defibrillator, it can rise to 74 per cent.

Last year, Louise and a team of four taught 420 people CPR. Now, with a team of 14 they have managed to teach 1,074 people CPR.