Volunteers from St John Ambulance’s Central & South Birmingham Network will be stationed beneath the departure boards at Birmingham New Street Station on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 6pm. They will provide free CPR awareness activities and engage with the public about how to respond effectively in emergencies.
The event is part of Save a Life September, St John Ambulance’s annual campaign focused on raising awareness and confidence in dealing with choking, cardiac arrest, and severe bleeding. Throughout the month, trained volunteers offer demonstrations and guidance to help people develop these vital skills.
Teams from West Midlands Police, British Transport Police, and University Hospitals Birmingham are also invited to participate in friendly endurance challenges. Members of the public can join in and compare their efforts with those of emergency services, NHS staff, and St John Ambulance volunteers. The event is free to attend and open to all ages, with no booking required.
A cardiac arrest can occur unexpectedly, and early intervention by bystanders using CPR and defibrillators significantly improves survival chances before professional help arrives. This Birmingham event aims to empower as many people as possible with these lifesaving skills.
Claire Harris, Network Community Lead for St John Ambulance’s Central & South Birmingham Network, said:
"We've been encouraged by the number of people stopping to learn or refresh their lifesaving skills. While ambulance response times target eight minutes, every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces a person's chance of survival. Bystanders can make a vital difference."
She added: "The challenge is a bit of fun but sparks important conversations about CPR and what people can do before professional help arrives. We encourage healthcare professionals, emergency service colleagues, and frontline workers passing through New Street Station to join us, take part in the challenge, and help inspire more people to learn these crucial skills. Every person we teach could one day save a life. Together, we can help more people feel prepared to act when every second counts."
For more information about the Save a Life September campaign and how St John Ambulance is empowering communities with first aid skills, visit https://www.sja.org.uk/save-a-life-september/
