ST JOHN NT
NEWSROOM

If someone you love went into sudden cardiac arrest, would you know what to do?

On world Restart a Heart Day, Sunday 16 October, St John NT is joining forces with other Ambulance Services across Australia and New Zealand to raise awareness about out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, the importance of CPR and having access to an AED within local communities.

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 who is nearby when the event takes place.

Sudden cardiac arrest is a medical emergency and can happen to anyone, at any time, at any age, anywhere. It can happen to a toddler asleep in their bed, a 22-year-old athlete on a sports field, a hardworking middle-aged parent at home, or a grandparent enjoying their retirement. Each of these examples are real life scenarios in which sudden cardiac arrest has occurred.

Emergency Communication Centre Manager, Craig Garraway urges the members of the NT community to register for CPR and First Aid Courses with St John NT today.

“With 75% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occurring in the home, we are urging the public to undertake vital CPR and AED training to potentially save their loved-one’s life.”

“A bystander or family member willing and confident to start CPR could save a life. 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%.”

St John NT is working in collaboration with the Council of Ambulance Authorities (CAA) to raise awareness of Restart a Heart Day and the importance of CPR and AED skills.

First aid trainers, volunteers and paramedics will be present at the following locations on Friday October 14 providing CPR demonstrations and encouraging community members to participate and sign up for CPR courses.

Alice Springs – Yeperenye Shopping Centre, 10am-12pm

Darwin – Casuarina Square, outside Wizard pharmacy from 10am-2pm

Palmerston – Gateway Shopping Centre 10am – 2pm

St John NT is also running free and discounted CPR courses in October. The free courses in Darwin, Palmerston. Katherine and Alice Springs have already been filled and discounted courses will be offered to Wizard Pharmacy members who attend the event at Casuarina Square.

St John NT teaches these lifesaving skills year-round through nationally accredited first aid training, community education, and volunteer training.

To sign up for a first aid course, or to learn more about St John NT, please visit our website