A study led by SGH found that CPR performed by bystanders more than doubled, rising from 22% to 50%. More bystanders also used automated external defibrillators in this period. This led to an increase in survival rates among those who suffered cardiac arrests outside of hospitals, from 12% in 2011 to 14% in 2014.

Although Singapore still has some way to go in training more people in CPR. A/Prof Marcus Ong, Senior Consultant, Dept of Emergency Medicine, SGH added that some CPR is better than no CPR. The study will be presented at the SGH Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM).