Certified teams from Hospital da Luz Póvoa de Varzim are visiting the headquarters of a few companies in the region, where they provide the collaborators free training sessions in Basic Life Support (BLS) manoeuvres to be applied to adults and children. This initiative englobes diverse establishments, namely nursery schools and hotels, priority being given to those institutions with protocols and partnerships with Hospital da Luz. In these sessions, participants learn how to assist people suffering sudden cardiorespiratory arrest, until the arrival of specialized medical assistance. The training includes the practice in manikins (adults and/or children) of all the necessary procedures, namely BLS manoeuvres with insufflation and compression, lateral safety position setting, and airway clearing. A LifeVac device is being additionally offered, to be used as a BLS auxiliary in case of choking, since it helps clearing quickly and safely any airway obstruction in someone in risk of suffocation (hence of cardiorespiratory arrest). Efficient cardiopulmonary resuscitation, initiated short after cardiorespiratory arrest, can double, or even triple the chances of survival, yet only 30% of victims receive adequate support. Anyone could and should learn to apply cardiopulmonary resuscitation. This way, everyone will know how to save lives. This is another initiative developed within the project created by Hospital da Luz viewing to empower the community in BLS manoeuvres and raise awareness to a culture of safety . Under this project, the following training activities have been taking place: “Towards a safer school – Together we will save lives” , an initiative that since 2022 has provided BLS training to hundreds of students and educational staff in Póvoa de Varzim , Amarante and Vila Nova de Cerveira . “ Safer sport ”, a 2024 initiative englobing trainers, athletes, and collaborators of sports associations and clubs in the region. Together we save lives! In the photos, the Hospital da Luz Póvoa de Varzim team at the Santana Hotel & Spa (Vila do Conde).
