Carey Olsen staff undertake defibrillator training as part of chosen charity initiative

The charity, which aims to raise awareness of heart disease, promote cardiac patient care and facilitate the development of cardiac services across Guernsey, is one of two nominated charities the law firm's Guernsey office has committed to support through various fundraising events for a two-year period up to June 2019.

Carey Olsen has so far helped the Guernsey Cardiac Action Group by purchasing a range of training equipment which has been integral in enabling the charity, along with the community resuscitation development officer, to host free familiarisation training sessions to more than 30 local businesses and organisations since the start of the year.

Carey Olsen senior associate Adrian Sarchet, who is chairman of the firm's Guernsey charities committee, said: "It's been fantastic to see so many of the staff at Carey Olsen come forward to learn about the use of automated external defibrillators (AED) and to familiarise themselves with CPR. We've always taken a proactive role in supporting our nominated charities but to also have the opportunity to learn directly from the Guernsey Cardiac Action Group about what to do if we were to witness a cardiac arrest is something I know all of us have really valued."

Community resuscitation development officer Mike Froome, who leads the Guernsey Cardiac Action Group familiarisation sessions, said the support of Carey Olsen could not be underestimated.

"Without Carey Olsen's support, which allowed us to buy the necessary training equipment, we would not have been in a position to host the free training sessions we have done across Guernsey," said Mr Froome.

"Every person trained is another person who is now equipped with the knowledge and skills required to respond to cardiac arrest with CPR and, if possible, defibrillation. It's important to remember that every minute without CPR and defibrillation dramatically decreases a person's chance of survival by around 10%."

There are currently 35 public access defibrillators located around Guernsey, four in Alderney and two in Herm. Carey Olsen has its own defibrillator located within its Carey House offices along Les Banques which is also available for use by the public.

Alongside the Guernsey Cardiac Action Group, Carey Olsen staff have also chosen to support the Guernsey Child Contact Centre LBG who provide a safe environment for children to maintain and re-establish contact with a parent, grandparent, sibling, other relative or another person important in their life.

"We are delighted to assist the Guernsey Child Contact Centre and in particular help them to promote their invaluable 'Children First' course which provides guidance and information on the delicate process of supporting a child through family separation," said Mr Sarchet.

Both charities will be supported by Carey Olsen with donations, ideas for fundraising initiatives, practical help with events and projects and advice and support where needed.