What Is BHF RevivR App and How Does It Work

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) RevivR app is an innovative new tool designed to teach people the essential skills of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation in just 15 minutes. Developed in partnership with Laerdal Medical, RevivR provides interactive CPR training using only a mobile phone or tablet and a firm cushion to practice on.

RevivR was created in response to the low survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK, which stand at less than 10%. The BHF aims to increase this rate by equipping more people with the skills to perform CPR and use a defibrillator in an emergency.

How RevivR Works

The RevivR app provides step-by-step interactive instructions on how to deliver high-quality CPR. Users are guided through the process of checking for signs of life, calling emergency services, performing chest compressions, and using an automated external defibrillator (AED).

The app uses the phone or tablet’s motion sensors to track and provide feedback on the depth and rate of chest compressions in real-time. This helps users learn how to deliver compressions that are fast enough and deep enough to be most effective.

There are built-in training videos that demonstrate correct CPR technique. Users can also practice defibrillator use through interactive scenarios. Upon completion of the 15-minute training, users receive a personalized certificate that can be saved or shared on social media.

Key Features

Some of the standout features of the RevivR app include:

• Interactive CPR feedback: Users receive real-time feedback on their chest compression technique, ensuring they learn proper depth and rate.
• Video demonstrations: The app includes videos showing correct CPR performance to reinforce proper technique.
• Defibrillator training: Users are able to learn correct AED usage through interactive test scenarios.
• Customizable training: Administrators can add their own branding, tailor scenarios, and track training progress.
• Accessibility: RevivR works on both Android and iOS devices and is accessible to people with visual or hearing impairments.

Implementation by Organizations

The BHF is encouraging workplaces, schools, and community organizations to adopt RevivR to train their staff, students, and members in CPR skills.

Major UK employers like Royal Mail, Tesco, and Travelodge have already started using RevivR to upskill their workforces. The app has also been piloted in 200 secondary schools across Britain.

Organizations can customize RevivR with their own branding, scenarios, and training videos. Administrators have access to online dashboards to monitor training participation and completion.

For schools, there is a special “Classroom RevivR” edition designed specifically around teaching CPR skills to groups of students. This provides lesson plans aligned with national curriculums across Britain.

Benefits of Using RevivR for CPR Training

Here are some key benefits of using the BHF RevivR app for CPR training:

1. It provides interactive feedback on chest compression technique, helping ensure users learn the proper depth and rate for high-quality CPR. The motion sensors track and give real-time guidance.
2. There are built-in training videos demonstrating correct CPR performance to reinforce proper technique. This further helps with skill retention.
3. The app includes scenarios for practicing AED usage. This allows people to become familiar and comfortable with using a defibrillator in an emergency.
4. It offers customizable training options so organizations like workplaces and schools can tailor the content and track employee/student progress.
5. RevivR is accessible and works on both Android and iOS devices. The app also has features to accommodate people with visual or hearing impairments.
6. A key advantage is the portability and accessibility of phone/tablet-based training. This allows people to refresh their skills easily and frequently, improving long-term retention of CPR abilities.
7. The app teaches a full CPR response – assessing consciousness, calling emergency services, chest compressions, and defibrillator usage. This equips people with an end-to-end lifesaving skillset.
8. At just 15 minutes, RevivR provides time-efficient CPR training that fits conveniently into people’s schedules. The brevity also aids skill retention.

RevivR influences interactive mobile technology to provide high-quality, customizable, and accessible CPR training to both individuals and organizations. Its well-rounded instruction and real-time feedback help cement lifesaving skills.

RevivR’s Life-Saving Impact

It’s estimated that prompt CPR and defibrillation can more than double someone’s chance of surviving an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. By empowering more people with these vital skills, the BHF hopes to save thousands of lives.

During the initial pilot testing alone, over 14,500 people were trained in CPR using RevivR. Widespread adoption across workplaces and schools has the potential to exponentially increase this impact.

The portability and accessibility of RevivR are also advantages. Having CPR training accessible from any phone or tablet means skills can be refreshed easily and often. This helps improve long-term skill retention.

Conclusion

The British Heart Foundation’s RevivR app is an innovative approach to tackling the low bystander response rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests across Britain. By providing interactive CPR training accessible from any phone or tablet, RevivR has the potential to equip millions with the skills to save lives.

The app has already been embraced by major employers like Tesco and Royal Mail. There are now growing calls for CPR to be taught nationwide through RevivR in schools and workplaces. As more people learn these vital skills, survival rates can be improved and thousands of lives saved. RevivR is a truly transformative intervention in empowering bystander action.