Restart a Heart Day: Empowering You to Act Today

Today is October 16th, Restart a Heart Day, a crucial global initiative aimed at teaching CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and raising awareness of defibrillators. This day is all about taking immediate, life-saving action. Whether you already know how to perform CPR or you’re learning for the first time, every effort counts when someone’s heart stops. Quick intervention is vital and can drastically improve survival rates in cardiac arrest emergencies.

What Makes Restart a Heart Day So Important?

Cardiac arrest can strike anyone, anywhere, and at any time. It is a medical emergency where the heart suddenly stops pumping blood around the body. Without quick action, death can occur in minutes. Shockingly, in the UK, there are around 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests every year. Even more alarming is that fewer than one in ten people survive. The sad reality is that many of these lives could be saved if bystanders acted faster. Restart a Heart Day is here to change that.

This initiative exists to encourage people to take responsibility for learning these vital skills. Knowing CPR and how to use a defibrillator means you can act immediately when someone collapses from cardiac arrest. The more people trained, the more lives we can save. Today is your chance to be part of this life-saving movement.

Why Learning CPR Makes All the Difference

Acting fast is key when someone’s heart stops. Performing CPR immediately can double or even triple the chance of survival. The heart may not be beating, but CPR helps to keep blood flowing to the brain and other vital organs until professional help arrives. With each passing minute that no CPR is administered, the chances of survival drop by 10%.

Learning CPR doesn’t take long, but it can be the difference between life and death. Many organisations are running free CPR courses today, giving you the opportunity to learn this essential skill. Even if you’ve learned CPR before, a refresher can boost your confidence to act when it truly matters.

To find a CPR course today, visit the Resuscitation Council UK and sign up for a free session near you.

How Defibrillators Save Lives

While CPR helps to keep the blood pumping, a defibrillator is needed to restart the heart. Defibrillators, or AEDs (automated external defibrillators), deliver an electric shock to the heart to restore its natural rhythm. They are designed to be simple to use, with clear voice instructions guiding you through each step. More defibrillators in public spaces means more lives saved. However, it’s not just about having them available—it’s about knowing where they are and how to use them.

Today is the perfect time to familiarise yourself with the AEDs in your community or workplace. At Defib Supplies, we advocate for businesses, schools, and community spaces to install and register their defibrillators. Every minute counts during a cardiac arrest, and having quick access to an AED can mean the difference between life and death.

You can read more about the importance of AEDs in the workplace and how they can make your organisation safer.

What You Can Do Right Now

There are several ways you can take immediate action on Restart a Heart Day. Here’s how you can get involved today:

1. Attend a CPR Training Session – Don’t wait for an emergency to learn these life-saving skills. Many organisations are hosting free CPR training sessions today. By attending, you equip yourself with the knowledge to act quickly when someone needs it most. Visit our course selection.
2. Locate AEDs in Your Area – Knowing where your nearest defibrillator is located can save valuable time in an emergency. Encourage your workplace, school, or community centre to register their AEDs with local emergency services. The faster an AED is accessed, the better the outcome.
3. Spread the Word – Awareness is just as important as action. Use today to raise awareness on social media, in your workplace, and among friends. Share the message using hashtags like #RestartAHeart and encourage others to get involved.
4. Learn More About AEDs – AEDs are life-saving devices that everyone should feel confident using. Take a few minutes today to learn more about how AEDs work, where they should be located, and why they’re so important in schools and public spaces. You can explore our AEDs for schools selection.

Why Your Action Today Matters

By acting today, you could be preparing to save a life tomorrow. Every person who learns CPR or familiarises themselves with defibrillators is another person who can help someone survive a cardiac arrest. It’s not just about awareness, it’s about taking action when it counts. Restart a Heart Day gives you the chance to be a part of this life-saving movement.

At Defib Supplies, we are committed to making communities safer by increasing access to AEDs and ensuring people are equipped with the skills to use them. Whether you’re learning CPR, registering your defibrillator, or raising awareness, your involvement today helps build a heart-safe future.

To explore more about AEDs and how they can save lives, visit Defib Supplies. Don’t wait, take action now, and together we can restart hearts and save lives.