PRESS RELEASE: Restart a Heart Day 2020
Media release:
‘Three simple steps to save a life’ 2020 Restart a Heart Day
14 October 2020
CALL PUSH SHOCK, the message shared on October 16 around the world on Restart a Heart Day. This Friday The Council of Ambulance Authorities together with their ambulance service members and their partners will again join forces to raise awareness on out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and the importance of learning CPR and knowing how to use an AED (defibrillator).
‘Across Australia and New Zealand 34,000 people suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest every year, and sadly only 1 in 10 survive. We need the publics’ help to give us a hand in making these numbers better’ says David Waters, CEO Council of Ambulance Authorities.
Restart a Heart Day has been growing in strength since its launch in Australia and New Zealand in 2017. With supporters like Australian Governor-General, the Hon David Hurley and New Zealand Governor-General, the Hon Dame Patsy Reddy along with commitments from Australian, NZ and PNG ambulance services, the campaign has over last three years managed to educate in excess of 50,000 people.
This year due to COVID-19 restrictions the Council and their members looked to the online world to deliver an event filled with inspiring survival stories, interviews with experts and CPR and AED education sessions. Friday 16 October from 10.30am – 2.30pm AEDT take a minute to refresh your CPR skills and learn more about out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
‘For every minute a patient in cardiac arrest is not receiving CPR their chances of survival drop by 10%. It is imperative that the public gets involved and helps in the first few critical minutes of a cardiac arrest. On average it takes 8 minutes in metro areas for an ambulance to reach these critical patients. Time is crucial.’ says David Waters.
‘I commend all involved with Restart a Heart Day for raising awareness and equipping Australians with CPR and AED shock skills. This work is vitally important – these skills could help any of us to save a life.’ says Australian Governor-General, the Hon David Hurley, who has been supporting the campaign for last two years.
Restart a Heart Day was an initiative of the European Parliament and quick spread across the world and this year majority of countries will be observing the day with aim to raise awareness on out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and the importance of CPR and AEDs.
The Council of Ambulance Authorities has been running the Restart a Heart Day in Australia, NZ and PNG on behalf of their members since 2017.
The Council of Ambulance Authorities is the peak industry body representing statutory ambulance services across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
Since its set up in 1962, the Council works tirelessly to collaborate on ambulance and pre-hospital issues of metropolitan, regional, national and international significance. Member services collective knowledge and expertise provides a sound foundation to explore opportunities for improvement and innovation and to advocate on the sector’s behalf in key areas.
For more information please visit Restart a Heart Day website https://restartaheart.net/#top or Council of Ambulance Authorities website https://www.caa.net.au
-ends-
Media contact:
Stephanie Hartley [email protected] 0438 888 925
RAHD Press Release Dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/2468fmbvtbyno38/AAC0pkdC3BTUokGNZCNgyuXha?dl=0
David Waters, CEO Council of Ambulance Authorities, will be available for interviews and comments over next few days. To arrange a time please contact Stephanie Hartley.
