HOW comfortable would you be giving life-saving CPR to a total stranger?

Well, according to data from Resuscitation Council UK, only 31 per cent of people of the UK with no formal CPR training would be likely to help someone in cardiac arrest.

Today (October 16) marks Restart a Heart Day, in which, in collaboration with the British Heart Foundation, the British red Cross and St John Ambulance, Resuscitation Council UK aims to improve the number of people surviving a heart attack outside of the hospital.

And today it's been revealed that a grand total of half a million people in Scotland have been trained up to give CPR since 2015.

The chances of someone surviving an Out of Hospital Cardiac Arresst (OCHA) are mor ethan doubled when a bystander steps in to administer life-saving CPR before the emergency services can arrive. This can be CPR, defibrilation, but most importantly, calling 999 straight away. 

You can access first aid training through your workplace, school, college or even publicly with community centres. 

An NHS Borders spokesperson told us: "NHS Borders has a dedicated Resuscitation Officer who provides training both internally and out in the community.

"Community work includes training in schools and local community groups, and the introduction of defibrillators throughout the Borders in partnership with local charities.

"This has led to increased awareness and skills amongst the general public in the Borders and improved survival for people suffering cardiac arrest in the community."

To see if there are any public CPR courses near you you can visit the British Heart Foundation or Save a Life Scotland. Alternatively you can research courses available through your work or place of education.