On the 16th of October, we will once more celebrate World Restart a Heart Day (WRAHD). Restart a Heart Day is a global initiative designated yearly with the goal of teaching vital life-saving skills to as many people as possible.
This 2019, Restart A Heart Day will be bigger and better!
We are going global. All seven resuscitation councils of ILCOR – including America, Canada, South Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe- will support the initiative to increase awareness of bystander CPR and AED intervention. With this campaign, everyone is expected to learn CPR and facilitate Basic Life Support (BLS) courses in schools, organisations, and communities.
Only 1 in every 10 cardiac arrest victims survive, research says.
Over 30,000 people suffer cardiac arrests in Australia every year. On average, only 9-10% per cent of victims survive. Time is a critical factor in cardiac arrest survival. For every minute that passes, the survival rate decreases dramatically.
Bystander intervention within the first minutes of the arrest can make a difference between life and death. The earlier a cardiac arrest victim can receive CPR and a shock from the Defibrillator, the greater their chances of survival.
All it takes is three simple steps to save someone from cardiac arrest.
Call 000
If you suspect someone is suffering from cardiac arrest, immediately call Triple Zero (000). If another bystander is nearby, save time by asking them to dial the emergency services number and look for an AED while you proceed with CPR.
Begin CPR
The best chance of surviving a cardiac arrest occurs when first aid care begins immediately. If CPR is performed in the first few minutes of the attack, it can double or triple a victim’s chance of survival.
Shock Using an AED
Automated External Defibrillators (AED) are electrical devices that can electrically shock the heart and cause it to start beating again. It stops the chaotic electrical activity that happens during a cardiac arrest and allows the heart to resume a normal electrical impulse.
Call, Push, Shock – this is what restart a heart day is all about.
We all have a part to play in improving the alarmingly low survival rate of cardiac arrest. This World Restart a Heart Day 2019, we encourage all Australians to break into the mainstream consciousness and participate in discussions and events relating to CPR and AEDs in the community. It’s time for us to join together in battling cardiac arrest deaths.
Get Trained
Create a community where everyone is trained and willing to provide CPR and AED intervention. CPR and First Aid Courses are available to have access to top-class resuscitation skills and knowledge. With a swift response, high-quality resuscitation, and easy access to defibrillators, we can save lives.
Find out how you can take part in celebrating Restart A Heart Day this year.
Watch the video of His Excellency General the Honourable David John Hurley AC DSC (Retd), and learn more about the celebration.
