CARDIAC arrest and heart attack patients are to benefit from a new life-saving piece of equipment carried by the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance.

The Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) is to take delivery of an AutoPulse – an automated, battery-powered chest compressor, following a £5,000 donation from the Roger De Haan Charitable Trust.

The support pump has a load distributing band which squeezes the entire area of the chest rather than pushing on a single spot, which is the case with manual cardiopulmonary resuscitation and some automated CPR devices.

It automatically calculates the shape, size and resistance of each patient’s chest, giving them the best treatment.

Richard de Coverly, the air ambulance assistant director of operations, told The Herald: “In effect, the AutoPulse can function as an extra pair of hands, allowing the doctor and paramedic to perform other life-saving procedures. This has the potential to improve the likelihood of survival and recovery and will also allow us to transport more people on the helicopter who are either at risk of cardiac arrest or who are in cardiac arrest.

“This piece of equipment could be the difference between life and death for the seriously sick and injured people that we attend.”

Lynne Harris, director of income generation for the air ambulance service serving three counties, said: “We are incredibly grateful to the Roger De Haan Charitable Trust for their very generous donation to fund this life-saving piece of equipment.

“Without the support of grant-making trusts, individuals, businesses and groups across the region, we simply could not continue our vital work for the benefit of the community.

“The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust has supported the charity for a number of years and we are so grateful for their continued support.”

• Pupils from years five and six at St Ives School, Haslemere, received first-aid training from St John Ambulance as part of a lifeskills programme.

Topics covered included resuscitation, and how to deal with choking and severe bleeding.

The programme also involved “hands-on” sessions learning self defence, led by former martial arts champion Jason O’Connor.

Pupils learned what to do if confronted by a potential attacker, assertiveness training, and how to avoid becoming a victim.

Other activities in the programme include “bikeability” sessions to ensure children are safe when out on our roads, and a “market day”, to develop their entrepreneurial skills.