The Auckland Sky Tower will shine in support of World Restart a Heart Day on Monday 16 October as Hato Hone St John continues its mission to empower 10,000 New Zealanders with lifesaving skills this month.
Restart a Heart Day – a global campaign to raise awareness of the importance of taking immediate action when someone is in cardiac arrest, including calling 111 for an ambulance, starting cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and applying an automated external defibrillator (AED) – has run since 2012.
To mark the occasion, the Auckland Sky Tower will pulse with a bright white light - symbolising the rhythm of a heartbeat - while Hato Hone St John, its major partner ASB, and Wellington Free Ambulance will jointly host a public lifesaving course at ASB’s Queensgate branch in Lower Hutt.
The ASB event coincides with the midpoint of Hato Hone St John’s annual Shocktobercampaign to equip as many people as possible with the skills and confidence to save lives.
Chelsea O’Reilly, ASB Wellington Regional Manager,says “ASB is proud to be supporting our community partner Hato Hone St John in its mission to empower ten-thousand people with the skills and confidence they need to act in an emergency.
“We know how critical first aid skills are, and the difference they make in an emergency. The lifesaving skills imparted through the 3 Steps for Life programme, along with having AEDs readily available in all our branches, are an important way we are showing up for our community.”
The Shocktober campaign aims to tackle one of the leading causes of death in New Zealand: cardiac arrest.
Jacci Tatnell, Hato Hone St John Head of Community Education, says about six people experience cardiac arrest every day, with only one in ten surviving. Despite the alarming statistics, she says survival rates can more than double if fast, effective treatment is administered by someone with the right skills.
“For every minute without CPR or defibrillation, a patient’s chance of survival falls by ten-to-15 percent.
“Simply put, if more people have the confidence and skills to perform CPR and use an AED, more lives will be saved.”
Hato Hone St John also works with Heart Kids New Zealand and the Heart Foundation to achieve better health outcomes for New Zealanders.
Denise Kitto, Heart Kids Head of Operations, says about 12 babies are born with a congenital heart condition in New Zealand each week.
“Cardiac arrest is, sadly, something many Heart Kids New Zealand members need to be aware of and have the life-saving skills to face.
“Heart Kids NZ is proud to partner with Hato Hone St John and the Sky Tower to raise awareness of this important issue on World Restart a Heart Day.”
Dozens of Shocktober events are being held across the across the country this month, with more than 3,500 New Zealanders taking part in lifesaving training sessions so far.
RESTART A HEART DAY EVENT
16 October – ASB Queensgate, Lower Hutt, 5pm