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 cardiac arrest.
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) or sudden cardiac death (SCD) is global health threat that can happen to anyone when the heart's electrical activity beats speedily and abruptly stop. SCA can be precipitated by a heart attack.
The purpose of the day is to educate more people what to do if someone collapses and stops breathing. Three of the most important, immediate steps to take are, calling 999, perform CPR and use a defibrillator, if there is one nearby.
To prop up the campaign which is revisited every October 16 each year for the last 10 years, 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 (PHA) Council on CPR is the lead agency of the yearly observance of World Restart a Heart Day (WRaHD) by using its monthly webinar for Media and Netizens, the Usapang Puso sa Puso (UPP) as a powerful platform, by holding it on October 18 this year and coinciding its yearly Training of Trainers (TOT) on Oct. 20-22 at Luxent Hotel, Quezon City. The TOT will gather heart doctors and emergency responders from the Philippines.
This year's UPP WRaHD Special gathered law and heart experts to discuss the state of the AED Bills that have been filed in Congress and Senate. Dr. Don Robespierre Reyes, chair of the PHA Council on CPR, UPP host and Dr. Francis Lavapie, past chair of the PHA Council on CPR, have been at the front lines of the CPR/AED- ReadyPH Campaign since day one.
Sen. Lito Lapid and Cong. Bernadette Herrera who both filed bills on the importance of the placement of AEDs in public spaces and places, were represented by their legal officers Atty. Abelardo Maglanque and Atty. John Paul Nabua.
Lapid filed SB 1324 which specifically mandates the placement of AEDs in in public spaces like government buildings, offices, courts, schools, public parks and markets), while Herrera filed HB 1393 that endeavors the formation of a nationwide AED program and Emergency Medical System.
The availability of AEDs is not common in the Philippines. One of the PHA's dream is to make AEDs readily available as fire extinguishers in public places and spaces.
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 number and how to access emergency services.
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