Safety expo delivers Restart a Heart messages in new WA partnership

At a Safety Expo south of Perth, attracting more than 150 local government staff and services affiliates, St John WA and the Heart Foundation teamed up to deliver Restart a Heart Day messages of ‘Call. Push. Shock’ and it’s ‘Shockingly Simple’.

On October 7, the Heart Foundation shared heart health resources and the St John Safe team gave CPR and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) demonstrations in the City of Kwinana, among other safety stallholders and wellbeing activities.

The Heart Foundation’s WA General Manager, Dr Helena Viola said it was great to be a part of an initiative that promoted life saving skills.

“It was wonderful to see so many of the Kwinana community at the event, ready to heed the message of Call, Push, Shock – calling Triple Zero (000), performing CPR and using an AED.

“We want this knowledge to reach as many people as possible, because the more people who know what to do, the greater the chance that someone experiencing a cardiac arrest will receive immediate help that could save their life.”

City of Kwinana CEO Wayne Jack said learning how to restart a heart could save a colleague’s life, or even that of a child or resident frequenting one of the facilities run by the City.

“We are grateful to St John for attending our annual Safety Expo which is designed to equip our staff with life-saving skills and safety knowledge in the context of a fun and relaxed afternoon,” Mr Jack said.

As part of Shocktober, more than a dozen St John WA regional volunteer sub centres are also expected to use co-created resources to host a Restart a Heart Day (October 16) morning tea or activation during October to encourage more people to understand their heart health risk through preventive Heart Health Checks and respond in a cardiac arrest emergency.

St John WA Social Sustainability Manager Angel Robins said the shared initiative with Heart Foundation has brought St John’s Impact Framework to life.

“We’re helping communities Live Well through heart health awareness, Connect through local community engagement, and Respond by building confidence to act in a cardiac emergency,” Ms Robins said.

St John is continuing to work closely with the Heart Foundation and research partners with the aim to save more lives through expanded first aid delivery and registered Community First Responders on the St John’s First Responder App and AEDs on the State Defibrillator Network in WA.

Key community messages:

Look after your heart

Many heart disease risk factors can be managed through positive lifestyle changes and regular health checks. 

You can support your heart by:

• Eating a heart-healthy diet, including vegetables, fruit, whole grains, legumes, healthy proteins and unsaturated fats.
• Moving more and sitting less.
• Not smoking or getting support to quit.
• Knowing and managing your blood pressure and cholesterol.
• Asking your Doctor about a Heart Health Check if you’re 45 or older, or 30 for First Nations peoples.

Everyday changes can support a healthier heart. 

Know what to do in a cardiac arrest

A cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere and at any time. The person will usually be unconscious and not breathing normally.

Remember: Call. Push. Shock.

1. Call Triple Zero (000) immediately. The Triple Zero calltaker will stay on the line and guide you until help arrives.

2. Push hard and fast in the centre of the chest.  Keep going until help arrives or an AED is ready.

3. Shock using an AED. Turn it on and follow the voice prompts. AEDs guide you step by step and will only deliver a shock when needed.

Bystander actions will help keep someone alive until an ambulance arrives. 

To learn more about being St John Safe visit: First Aid Assessment – Are You St John Safe