Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT) joined forces with Stratstone Ferrari Colchester to officially launch CPR Smart, an innovative new programme designed to teach essential life-saving CPR skills to school children across Essex and Hertfordshire.
The launch event, held at Stratstone Ferrari in Colchester, welcomed over 50 representatives from businesses across Essex. Attendees heard from Adam Carr, Critical Care Paramedic and CPR Smart Community Lead, who delivered an impactful presentation on the programme’s mission. Guests also had the opportunity to practice CPR techniques on medical mannequins, highlighting the practical importance of early intervention during cardiac emergencies.
Stratstone Ferrari’s support for CPR Smart not only helped raise awareness of the initiative 
but also encouraged local businesses to financially back its rollout. Their partnership underscores the growing recognition that communities must be empowered with the skills and knowledge to respond quickly in emergency situations.
CPR Smart aims to equip both teachers and students to become CPR Smart Champions, capable of delivering CPR training within their schools. The programme includes ongoing support and resources to help spread these life-saving skills widely among the next generation.
Each year, around 35,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the UK, yet survival rates remain below 10%. Research shows that every minute without CPR decreases the chance of survival by 10%. In 2022 alone, 34% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients in Essex and Hertfordshire did not receive bystander CPR. Countries that integrate CPR training from a young age report survival rate up to three times higher—a benchmark CPR Smart aims to achieve locally.
The event successfully generated long-term financial backing for the programme and strengthened community awareness around the urgent need for CPR education.
Click here for further information about CPR Smart or to support the initiative, contact Lyndsay Wood, Corporate Partnerships Manager, at lyndsay.wood@ehaat.org