Cardiac arrest kills around 5,000 people in Ireland every year, however a new initiative by the Irish Heart Foundation (IHF) is hoping to bring this figure down.

The foundation has just launched a new hands-only CPR video. CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) is a lifesaving skill that can keep a heart beating until medical staff arrive.

While in the past it involved chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, it is now known that by starting just chest compressions promptly, a person's chance of survival doubles.

This technique can be used by anyone, even those without any CPR training.

According to figures released by the IHF, two in three cases of cardiac arrest that occur outside of hospital, occur in the home and in most cases, someone else is present.

The figures from the 2013 Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest Register (OHCAR) showed that in 64% of cases last year, CPR was performed by a bystander and 118 people survived as a result.

Furthermore, the survival rate for people who suffered a cardiac arrest outside of hospital rose from 5.2% in 2012 to 6.3% last year. For many years, this figure was less than 1%. This was welcomed by IHF medical director and cardiologist, Dr Angie Brown, who said that it shows that ‘more lives can be saved when CPR is performed'.

"The nature of a cardiac arrest is sudden and without warning and when it happens, there isn't a moment to lose in calling 999 and starting chest compressions immediately. The reality is that many cardiac arrests happen at home and in front of a relative, which is why everyone needs to know about hands-only CPR," she commented.

She emphasised that for every minute without hands-only CPR or defibrillation, the chance of survival ‘falls by up to 10% per minute'.

"This means that after five minutes, the person may only have a 50% chance of survival. Waiting for an ambulance can be too late. The IHF's message to all adults and teens is not to be afraid to attempt hands-only CPR, you can do no harm and you could save a life," Dr Brown said.

A cardiac arrest occurs when there is an abrupt disturbance in the heart's rhythm. This results in the heart beating either too fast or too slow to pump blood around the body. It can occur in people without known heart disease and can affect all ages, even babies.

To watch the hands-only CPR video, click here

Alternatively, follow these steps:

-When a person collapses, check for a response. Shake them gently on the shoulder and call their name
-If there is no response, call 999 or 112 immediately
-If they are not breathing normally, lie them flat on the ground. Kneel beside them and place your two hands on the centre of the chest, one on top of the other. Keep your arms straight
-Start compressions hard and fast, pushing down about two inches on the centre of the chest. Aim for 100 beats per minute. Keep going until medical help arrives.