News & Media

Last week Titania hosted training sessions for staff and members of the public, that could one day be life-saving.

“We opened our doors to Worcester citizens, because we consider this to be a valuable exercise worth sharing with the community we all work and live in” Titania CEO, Ian Whiting, introduced the two days of training.

During the second day of his training sessions, the Mayor of Worcester and his wife visited. Beginning with a photo session and followed by a serious talk about the officer’s initiative across the Atlantic and how it makes a difference to the lives of the Coon Rapids community. Officer Platz wanted to try on the mayoral chains, while Councillor Knight was keen to shake his hand and thank him for this fantastic initiative.

Over the course of the 2 days, members of Bramble Home Care, Newhall Medical Practice, Rich Print, Worcestershire LEP and Hereford and Worcester Chamber of Commerce attended the life-saving training.

The Chamber’s CEO, Mike Ashton stayed for the entire 2 hours of a session and spoke to Officer Platz afterwards to personally commend his efforts.“We have been to other CPR training before, but this really was different” mentioned a group of healthcare professionals. “Not so long ago we attended a CPR session where we were instructed to offer mouth-to-mouth. Sometimes that can be off-putting” they continued.

Officer Platz is all too aware of the way people perceive mouth-to-mouth resuscitation: “In the event someone is suffering a Sudden Cardiac Arrest they are clinically dead. The body’s reactions can be disturbing for many people. Meanwhile 100 compressions per minute, promptly delivered in the first 3 minutes of collapse, can make a huge difference to someone being dead or alive” he explained.

What few know is that the rules changed a few years ago when the American Heart Association updated its guidance on how to perform CPR. However, they have not updated the training of CPR instructors, or the literature accompanying it. be aware of the life-saving changes. The UK’s NHS still recommends if you “feel confident using your skills, you should give chest compressions with rescue breaths”, but in 2012 The British Heart Association brought out a campaign featuring actor Vinny Jones who teaches hands-only CPR to the tune of Stayin’ Alive: “first call 999, then you do hands-only CPR… and no kissing! You only kiss your missus on the lips!”

Later in the week, Officer Platz joined Titania’s marketing team and members & visitors at the Chris Green Media Business Media Club, where he gave a presentation on how positive PR has helped to raise the profile of Heart Safe.

Titania has now installed an Automated Electric Defibrillator, and members of staff are trained to use it, which should provide life-saving assistance to any Sudden Cardiac Arrest emergency in the Barbourne area. The office phone number is 01905 888 785 and the AED is located at Security House, Barbourne Road, Worcester WR1 1RS.