104 nationalities participate in world record CPR relay exercise
DHA sets Guinness World Record, breaking earlier feat of 74 nationalities
About 104 nationalities conducted a Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) relay exercise to create a Guinness World Record for the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) yesterday. The earlier record featured 74 nationalities.
The event, organised in partnership with Philips and the American Heart Association (AHA), was held ahead of the World Congress of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Health to be held in Dubai from December 5 to 8.
Humaid Al Qutami, director-general of DHA said:“We thank all the participants who helped us break the record and raise awareness that CPR training is a life-saving skill. We now have an additional 104 community members who are qualified in CPR training and we hope many more will come forward and undertake this training.”
Dr Fahd Baslaib, interventional cardiologist and CEO of Rashid Hospital, said: “In a cardiac arrest, seconds count. The normal survival rate is 5 per cent, but if CPR is administered in less than four minutes, the survival rate increases to 65 per cent. However, if administered by an unqualified person it can be more harmful than helpful; therefore, CPR training is a life-saving skill that community members should learn.”
Ozlem Fidanci, CEO, Philips Middle East and Turkey said: “Our vision is to improve the lives of three billion people a year by 2025. At ■ Philips, together with our partner Arasca, we are very happy to collaborate with the DHA to help significantly reduce the number of deaths resulting from cardiac arrest.”