Improve International is launching a series of veterinary CPR courses early in 2022. 

The two-day ‘Save A Life Today’ (SALT) courses are being run in partnership with the Reassessment Campaign on Veterinary Resuscitation (RECOVER).

Vets and nurses are encouraged to attend together, as well as individually, so that they can go back to practice and share their learning as a team.

On day one, delegates will cover the practical aspects of resuscitation.

The second day will be focused on effective leadership during and after CPR and the critical care of patients that survive CPR, with an emphasis on techniques used in general practice. 

The courses will be led by Emily Thomas BA VetMB FHEA DACVECC DECVECC MRCVS Specialist in Emergency and Critical Care at Dick White Referrals, supported by Kathryn Latimer DipAVN DipHE CVN CertEd CertVN (ECC) RVN, Head of Nursing Services at North West Veterinary Specialists in Cheshire. 

Charlotte French (pictured right), Operational Head for Improve International in the UK, said: “When CPR is attempted, it can be stressful and distressing for those involved.

"It’s also a situation in which clear thinking and teamwork can save lives.

"Through our partnership with RECOVER, we hope to increase the competence and confidence of veterinary staff globally in conducting CPR and to facilitate the building of team-working which will radiate into other areas of day-to-day practice."  

Emily Thomas said: “CPR training for vets and nurses has traditionally focused on individual tasks such as chest compressions.

"However, we’re now realising that human factors such as organisation, teamwork, and leadership are equally integral to success.

"This is an area of particular interest for me, and I’m hoping to bring some simple, evidence- based ideas to this course to help people improve these non-clinical aspects in their own practices.”

The course is comprised of an online training module, followed by a face-to-face course which together account for 20.5 hours of CPD.  Successful delegates will become Basic and Advanced Life Support RECOVER Rescuer Certified.

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