St John WA activates “Call. Push. Shock.” at Perth Airport for Restart a Heart Day
St John WA brought lifesaving skills to travellers at Perth Airport, activating its “Call. Push. Shock.” campaign in the Virgin Australia terminal to mark Restart a Heart Day and Airport Safety Week.
The interactive event aimed to educate the public on what to do when someone suffers a sudden cardiac arrest.
Under the global Restart a Heart banner, the activation featured live CPR demonstrations, AED (Automated External Defibrillator) education, and information about the St John First Responder network.
St John WA Paramedic and Resuscitation Improvement Specialist Jason Belcher said the “Call. Push. Shock.” message offered a simple but vital instruction for bystanders.
“When someone’s heart stops, every second matters — that’s why we’re urging all Western Australians to remember: Call. Push. Shock., ” Mr Belcher said.
“Even if you’ve never done CPR before, you can learn the basics in minutes — and your action could save a life.”
The campaign emphasised the importance of three immediate steps when cardiac arrest strikes:
- Call 000 immediately.
- Push — perform chest compressions.
- Shock — use an AED if one is available.
Every minute without CPR or defibrillation reduces a person’s chance of survival by an estimated 10 per cent, highlighting the crucial role of community responders.
According to St John WA’s 2024 Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Report, about one in 11 Western Australians survived an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest last year — more than 130 people in total. In over 80 per cent of those cases, bystanders had begun CPR before paramedics arrived. Defibrillator use from devices registered with St John WA also significantly improved survival outcomes.
Travellers and visitors at the Virgin Australia terminal were invited to observe or participate in CPR demonstrations, learn how to operate an AED, and speak directly with St John WA and Perth Airport representatives about the importance of community readiness.
Perth Airport Chief Operating Officer Scott Woodward said the partnership with St John WA was an important part of the airport’s commitment to safety.
“We were proud to partner with St John WA for Restart a Heart Day to raise awareness of the simple actions that can save a life — Call. Push. Shock., ” he said.
“Our frontline terminal teams are often the first to respond in an emergency, and these life-saving skills are essential to their roles. We’re committed to supporting our staff and the wider community with the knowledge and tools to act confidently in critical moments like these.”
The event drew attention from passengers and staff alike, many of whom took part in the hands-on training sessions.
St John WA encouraged all Western Australians to learn CPR, familiarise themselves with AED locations, and register for the St John First Responder app.
Because when every second counts, the message remains clear: Call. Push. Shock.