Restart A Heart: How to become part of Chain of Survival and save lives
Sudden or out-of-hospital cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, of any age or fitness, and is when a person collapses unconscious and has agonal to no breathing.
St John WA receives more than 1000 cases each year, of which only 1 in 10 survive.
For every minute CPR isn’t provided, the chance of survival drops by 10 per cent.
The first five minutes are the most critical to get help.
Every October, St John WA reminds people on the importance of becoming part of the ‘Chain of Survival’ (see video below), which involves:
- Calling Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance. St John WA call takers will stay on the line until ambulance crews arrive and be the helping voice you need in an emergency.
- Start CPR. You will be guided by our Triple Zero (000) call takers on exactly how to perform until ambulance crews take over. (Free first aid guides, including DRSABCD Action Plan and CPR timer, can be found on the St John First Responder app.)
- And St John WA will help find nearby assistance by calling on qualified first aiders via the St John First Responder app to opt-in and assist with CPR until an ambulance arrives,
- As well as find the nearest registered Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and get it brought to the scene. AEDs give talking instructions once opened. Applying one can never harm someone as they will not deliver a shock to a normal heart rhythm.
Everyone in the community can step forward in an emergency and improve the odds of survival for the sake of loved ones to complete strangers.
You too can help save lives, by:
- Becoming a community first responder and learn first aid.
- Register as an accredited first aider on the St John First Responder app.
- Buy an AED and register it on the State Defibrillator Network.
- Protect your business by getting a St John Safe assessment.
- Alone at home, allow paramedics access by registering your lockbox code safely with St John.
Remember on Restart A Heart Day (October 16) to Call.Push.Shock.