Switch on, learn how to save a life with CPR
Heart of the Nation, The World’s Largest CPR Class is airing tomorrow at 3 pm on Channel Nine and 9Now to coincide with Restart a Heart Day.
The broadcast and Heart of the Nation charity are the passion projects of original Yellow Wiggle Greg Page, who suffered a sudden cardiac arrest at a Wiggles reunion show and survived thanks to the actions of audience members, who performed CPR and used an automated external defibrillator to save his life.
‘‘The more people we have out in the community feeling confident and empowered to try (CPR) means there will be more lives saved — because we’ll have more hands on chests when it matters most,’’ he said.
‘‘CPR is an essential part of the ‘Chain of Survival’. It can help save lives when someone is in cardiac arrest, as it did for me.’’
Every year, thousands of Aussies suffer sudden cardiac arrests, with nine out of 10 not surviving an arrest out of hospital, but awareness, education and easy AED access are key to bringing down this high fatality rate.
The one-hour class will give viewers lifesaving techniques to react effectively in the face of sudden cardiac arrest and implement the critical Chain of Survival of call, push, shock: calling an ambulance; push, performing CPR; and shock, using an AED to restore a functioning heartbeat.
Daniel Gay from Surf Lifesaving Australia and world surfing champion Layne Beachley will teach the class centred on easy-to-learn techniques for adults and children.
Cricket legend Brett Lee and The Block celebrities Mitch and Mark will demonstrate just how easy it is to perform these lifesaving techniques, while Today Show’s Allison Langdon discusses Greg’s experience with him.
Today co-host Karl Stefanovic and weatherman Tim Davies and Weekend Today co-host Rebecca Maddern will also speak to survivors and families who have lost loved ones.
● Viewers will be able to download a certificate of participation by scanning the QR code on-screen at the broadcast time or heading to the Heart of the Nation website at www.heartofthenation.com.au
● In an emergency, always call 000 first and ask for an ambulance.