London Ambulance Service invites families to learn how to save a life during the summer holidays

Staff at London Ambulance Service are holding an exciting Summer Open Day Event by the London Eye during the summer holidays (21st August) to teach members of the public how to save a life if someone’s heart stops beating.

Families can learn vital life-saving skills in a fun way, as well as meet some of the teams who rescue people in dangerous situations like rivers or at great heights.

Associate Community Resuscitation trainer Julie Whitehead, who is organising the event, said:

“The event is an incredibly fun day out for families with a mix of educational and hands-on activities for all ages. Last year, children and families really got stuck in and were eager to learn the simple skills needed to help someone in a cardiac arrest – when someone’s heart stops beating.

“It’s so important that everyone can learn these simple skills and once they have them, they are with them for the rest of their life.

“We are proud to show the public how our crews care for Londoners, our history with the city, and hopefully inspire the next generation of ambulance crews and call handlers.

“It’s so rewarding bringing people together to teach them crucial skills which they might use later to save someone’s life.”

Visitors will also have the chance to meet paramedics with specialist skills who care for the capital and find out more about their roles. These include crews from the Service’s hazardous area response team – the team who treat patients in dangerous situations such as those at height or in water – and the cycle response unit, who weave through traffic to reach patients quickly when the ambulance is on the way.

Visitors will also be able to see some of the London Ambulance Service Historic Collection from historic ambulances to an old-fashioned medical kit.

The event will take place on Friday 21 August between 11am and 4pm in front of the London Eye between the gift shop and Belvedere Road.

London Lifesavers is funded through the London Ambulance Charity and you can find ways to support its work here.

Find out about the London Ambulance Charity Heart Starters campaign to fund more defibrillators.