This “World Restart a Heart Day” on Wednesday 16 October, St John Ambulance Queensland encourages all Queenslanders to sign up with us for a lifesaving CPR course.
Every year in Australia, around 26,000 people have a Sudden Cardiac Arrest Out of Hospital. Only around ten percent (10%) of these people will survive.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops pumping and the body is starved of oxygen and can happen to anyone no matter their age, gender, or lifestyle.
Having access to an AED and being trained in CPR is crucial for improving the survival rates of Sudden Cardiac Arrest.
The role of the first responder can often mean the difference between life or death with only 1 in 10 typically surviving a sudden cardiac arrest. Often the first responder is not a health care professional but a family member or civilian nearby when the event takes place.
This Restart a Heart Day St John Ambulance Queensland CEO, Peter L Maher encourages the members of the Queensland community to register for CPR and First Aid Courses with St John Ambulance Queensland.
“With 80% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occurring in the home, we are urging the public to undertake vital CPR and AED training that could potentially save their loved-one’s life.”
“A bystander or family member willing and confident to start CPR can make a huge difference. For every minute a patient is in cardiac arrest and does not receive CPR or shock from a defibrillator, their chances of survival drop by up to 10%.”
In a mission to improve these shocking statistics, St John Ambulance Queensland is providing community demonstrations in Brisbane and Townsville.
St John Ambulance Queensland trainers, community engagement teams and volunteers will be present at the following locations on Wednesday, October 16 providing CPR demonstrations and encouraging community members to participate and sign up for CPR courses.
Brisbane
Wednesday 16th October
Reddacliff Place – outside the Brisbane City Council Library building in the CBD (on George St)
7am – 5pm
Townsville
Wednesday 16th October
7am-5pm
Landsborough Street Headland, The Strand (behind Juliette’s Gelateria)
To book a course with St John Ambulance Queensland call 1300 785 646 or visit www.stjohnqld.com.au/courses
