London, UK – 9th October 2024 – Set Starters founder, Jay Finlayson, is raising the alarm about a critical gap in safety awareness within the UK film and TV industry. Returning after an 11-month stint with the North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust, Jay Finlayson discovered a concerning number of professionals lacking training in basic life-saving skills like CPR and first aid within the Film & TV Industry.
“I was utterly shocked,” says Jay Finlayson. “Many in the industry have little to no knowledge of CPR. This is a life or death skill, and its absence poses a serious threat on set.”
Statistics paint a grim picture. A British Heart Foundation study reveals a staggering 30% of UK adults are unlikely to attempt CPR in an emergency situation, directly impacting survival rates. Furthermore, with every minute’s delay in administering CPR during cardiac arrest, the chance of survival plummets by a worrying 10%.
Jay Finlayson’s experience with the Ambulance Service highlighted the crucial role of immediate CPR response in saving lives. This lack of training is particularly concerning in Film and TV, where large teams work in close proximity, approximately 80% of cardiac arrests happen in the home, and another significant portion occurs in public places or workplaces . This highlights the importance of being CPR trained, as the likelihood of encountering someone in need of resuscitation is high in familiar or work-related environments.
“There are over 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK each year, with a survival rate below 10%, largely due to low bystander CPR rates,” explains Finlayson. “In these situations, every second counts. Film crews, like everyone else, need to know how to act decisively before paramedics arrive.”
Set Starters is actively addressing this gap. Partnering with the British Heart Foundation, they’re developing tailored CPR and basic life-saving training programs specifically for the film and TV industry, utilizing the innovative revivr software. This cutting-edge software provides interactive training modules, simulations, and real-time feedback, ensuring a comprehensive and engaging learning experience.
By incorporating revivr into their training programs, Set Starters aims to make CPR and first aid accessible and effective for industry professionals. The software’s user-friendly interface and personalized approach will empower individuals to confidently apply their skills in emergency situations.
Studies show that less than 50% of people feel confident performing CPR, and only 29% of individuals would intervene in a cardiac arrest situation. These alarming statistics underscore the urgent need for increased CPR awareness and training, particularly in high-risk environments like film and TV sets.
Finlayson hopes this initiative will spark industry-wide participation in CPR training, ultimately increasing survival rates on set. “This isn’t about heroism,” he emphasises . “It’s about equipping everyone with the confidence to act when seconds matter most.”
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