Visitors to Sydney’s Manly Beach were reminded about the importance of regular CPR and defibrillator training today. Surf Life Saving NSW teamed-up with Heart Safe Australia to host a Restart a Heart Day event.
Restart a Heart Day helps educate and raise community awareness about the important role defibrillators and up-to-date CPR training plays in saving lives.
In Australia, approximately 575 people a week experience sudden cardiac arrest (outside hospital environments). Around nine percent of these people survive.
Along with members of the public, James Griffin, NSW Member for Manly and Surf Life Saving CEO Steven Pearce, attended and competed in a friendly CPR challenge. Having won the CPR challenge in 2018, Pearce was keen to defend his title.
Participants used the latest CPR training mannequins connected iPad technology, which accurately measures the timing and depth of CPR compressions. This year’s CPR challenge resulted in a draw - with all competitors scoring 98 percent for CPR efficiency.
Steven Pearce said that Restart a Heart Day was a terrific opportunity to remind the public about the importance of up-to-date CPR training and the effectiveness of defibrillators in saving lives.
“It is so important for people to understand two key things: One, how to do CPR - it’s such a lifesaving skill. Number two, never be afraid to access a defibrillator,” said Pearce.
“Defibrillators are being rolled-out across the community - in clubs, shopping malls and sporting arenas. They’re more accessible than ever and people shouldn’t be afraid to use them in an emergency. They are simple to use and highly effective,” he said.
Passers-by were able get hands-on with CPR training mannequins to refresh their CPR knowledge. They received instant feedback on how to improve compression technique and effectiveness.
Doctors, police, paramedics and physiotherapists, were thankful for the opportunity to brush up on their CPR skills.
Dr Penny Adams, a local General Practitioner, took the opportunity to refresh her CPR technique.
“Even though I’m a GP, I might only do CPR once every two years. You get out of practice and you forget the routine,” said Dr Adams.
“I think this is fabulous and everybody should do a refresher at least every year. If you haven’t done a CPR course, go and do one,” she said.
In addition to surf lifesaver training, Surf Life Saving NSW educates over 90,000 members of the public each year in CPR techniques, the use of defibrillators and first-aid. This is done through the Australian Lifesaving Academy.
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