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BHFNI teams up with Citi to deliver lifesaving CPR training

Posted By:
British Heart Foundation NI

3rd Feb 2023

The British Heart Foundation Northern Ireland has teamed up with Citi Belfast to deliver innovative and lifesaving CPR training to the company’s employees.

Citi is one of the largest employers in Northern Ireland with more than 3700 employees across four locations in Belfast.

As a result of the new partnership, Citi will offer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training to its staff using the RevivR App developed by the British Heart Foundation.

The RevivR App is a free, interactive tool that teaches lifesaving skills of CPR and how to use a defibrillator. It takes just 15 minutes and can be accessed from anywhere with just a phone and a cushion.

Each year there are around 1,400 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in Northern Ireland, with less than one in ten people surviving. Every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces chances of survival by up to ten per cent but performing CPR can more than double chances of survival in some case.

Citi will now use RevivR to deliver CPR training to its employees across the company’s offices.

The BHF will be carrying out CPR training sessions with Citi management and employees at it’s Gateway offices in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter on Wednesday, February 8.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Fearghal McKinney, Head of British Heart Foundation Northern Ireland said:

“We’re excited to join with Citi Belfast to roll out our innovative RevivR app to Citi’s employees. It’s great to see a company of this size offering its employees the opportunity to learn this important lifesaving skill.

“Everyone has the potential to be a lifesaver and the RevivR app literally puts that power in people’s hands by teaching CPR skills in just 15 minutes. All that’s required is a smartphone or tablet and a cushion.

“Everyone who learns CPR could help save the life of a colleague, family member, loved or anyone experiencing a cardiac arrest.”

Leigh Meyer, Citi Belfast Site Lead commented:

“I am delighted that Citi Belfast can be involved with the excellent work that the British Heart Foundation supports. Now more than ever, the skills and knowledge Citi’s staff will acquire from this program can make a real difference and will provide the confidence for staff to act quickly and effectively, if ever needed.

The enthusiasm and excitement generated from this initiative within the bank is both exciting and rewarding. Thanks to the British Heart Foundation for engaging with Citi Belfast to deliver this initiative to our Belfast employees.”

Helen McCarragher, Belfast Families Matter Network Co Chair who are championing the initiative across the organisation added:

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to collaborate with The British Heart Foundation in introducing the lifesaving skills of CPR to our Citi colleagues in Belfast.
We are driving awareness and delivering training to our colleagues on how with the investment of just 15 minutes of their time they can be equipped with the skills required to save a life. Our staff identify with the importance of this message and have welcomed the opportunity to get involved, with every in-person training session advertised reaching maximum capacity in a matter of minutes! We are looking forward to creating a new group of potential lifesavers during heart month and beyond.”