What is restart a heart day? It is a day that reminds anyone the priceless value of knowing how to restart a heart that has stopped beating, and everyone can learn basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills and potentially save a life in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).
SCA or sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a global health threat that can happen to anyone when the heart’s electrical activity beats speedily and abruptly stops. SCA can be precipitated by a heart attack.
Three of the most important, immediate steps to take are: Calling 999, performing CPR, and using a defibrillator, if there is one nearby.
To prop up the campaign which is revisited every Oct. 16, organizations around the world have bonded together to raise public awareness about cardiac arrests, life-saving CPR, and automated external defibrillator (AED).
The Philippine Heart Association Council on CPR is the lead agency of the yearly observance of World Restart a Heart Day (WRaHD) through its webinar, Usapang Puso sa Puso (UPP).
It was held on Oct. 18 this year and was followed by the council’s yearly Training of Trainers (TOT) on Oct. 20-22 at Luxent Hotel in Quezon City that gathered 165 heart doctors and emergency responders from across the country.
Dr. Don Robespierre Reyes, chair of the PHA Council on CPR and Dr. Francis Lavapie, past chair of the PHA Council on CPR, have been at the frontlines of the eight-year-old CPR/AED- ReadyPH campaign.
“Sa ibang bansa may AED talaga na naka-ready. Hindi pa masyadong common ang AED and CPR dito,” Reyes said.
Citing the daily traffic situation of Metro Manila, Reyes said that apart from strategic placement, high volume deployment is also key.
“Problema sa Manila, traffic. So dapat, sandamakmak na AEDs everywhere, kasi di pa okay ang emergency response system,” he said.
“From the moment of SCA, kung within less than 5 minutes na-CPR and AED, mas-mataas chances of survival; more than 30%. Kapag lagpas nito, lumiliit ang chances of survival, and if more than 10 minutes then less than 5% chances of survival. So early administration of AED is crucial,” Lavapie added.
He said AEDs must be available not just in cities, but rural areas.
“Ang SCA, hindi lang nangyayari sa Manila or sa siyudad. So kapag gagawin ng batas, dapat para sa lahat hindi lang sa city.”
Involvement with the World Restart a Heart Day 2023 entails the following:
1. Learn CPR (proper techniques) from the experts
2. Host CPR Training. Organize CPR training sessions in your community, workplace and school and invite certified instructors to teach essential life-saving skills.
3. Practice AED use. Familiarize yourself with AEDs and how to use them in emergencies.
4. Spread Awareness. Share information about World Restart a Heart Day and the importance of CPR training with your friend’s family and social networks.
5. Support First-Aid Initiatives. Donate to organizations that provide first aid and CPR training to underserved communities or schools.
6. Know Emergency Numbers: Familiarize yourself with local emergency phone numbers and how to access emergency services.