A chain of survival exists to keep people alive and comprises early access, early CPR, early defibrillation and early advanced care. If someone collapses with a cardiac arrest it can often be in a public place and the first three steps of the chain can be dealt with by a stranger trained in First Aid and AED use.

It is essential help is summoned immediately and early CPR has been proven to double or even triple a patient's chance of survival. To do that, a step-by-step guide to resuscitation should be followed:
• Look for danger;
• Check for response;
• Shout for help;
• Check the airway;
• Look, listen and feel for normal breathing and, if necessary, begin chest compressions.

A cycle of 30 compressions and two rescue breaths should be continued until help arrives or the patient begins breathing normally.

These details, and more, can be taught by a trained instructor, but there are also opportunities to learn at home. As part of the British Heart Foundation's Learning for Life scheme with St John Ambulance, they have put together a self-instructional CPR pack.

The easy-to-learn kit includes a Mini Anne™ inflatable learning dummy, an instruction book and DVD and reminder cards. They have already been distributed at scout and brownie groups so youngsters can learn with their families, but we want to give the wider community the confidence to know what to do if called upon in an emergency.

Do you belong to a community group, organisation or business, or would you just feel more secure in the knowledge you could help someone in need if necessary? If you would like to win one of our 20 Mini Anne™ CPR kits, write to us with the answers to three questions below:

• What number should you ring for an ambulance?
• In what position should you put someone who is unconscious but breathing?
• What ratio of chest compressions to breaths should be given during resuscitation?

Contact us at 8 Heanor Road, Ilkeston, Derbyshire, DE7 8ER with your name, address and a daytime contact number.