An important movement on 16 October - World Restart a Heart Day

This Sunday, 16 October 2022, we are launching an important movement. This day has been officially named 'World Restart a Heart Day' and is dedicated to resuscitation. This is an initiative started by the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) in an effort to draw extra attention to CPR and the impact it can have in an emergency situation. After all, 70% of cardiac arrest victims have someone present and CPR has shown to double the chance of survival.

Hands in the air to make a difference

Over 17,000 people in the Netherlands are affected by out-of-hospital cardiac arrest every year and in 70% of these cases, there is a bystander present who can intervene. Rapid intervention is important because it increases the person's chance of survival and reduces the chance of residual injury. CPR is the act of artificially taking over someone’s breathing and keeping their blood circulating by ways of mouth to mouth and chest compressions.

This should be reason enough reason to make sure there is more awareness around CPR. The more people who can make a difference, the more lives that can be saved.

Easy: Check - Call - Compress

Making a difference is much easier than most people think. There are just three simple steps to remember: Check - Call - Compress. Doing something is always better than doing nothing.

First, check to see if the victim responds. If there is no response, lift the head and chin and check their breathing.

Call 112 and follow the instructions. Make sure the phone is on the speakerphone, so you have your hands free to carry out directions. If someone is nearby, they can get an AED, make sure someone always stays with the victim.

Start chest compressions and ventilation on instructions from the Emergency Centre. Place both hands in the middle of the chest and compress 5-6 cm. Maintain a rhythm of 100 - 120 times per minute and remember the 30/2 rule. Give 2 breaths after every 30 chest compressions.

Once the AED arrives, turn it on and follow the instructions given. The AED will advise whether a shock is needed for the victim, or not. Continue chest compressions, ventilation and following the AED's instructions. Stop only when rescuers tell you to.

Restart a heart wave

This is why we have started the Restart A Heart Wave. Together with all our employees, partners, manufacturers, resellers and customers; we are holding hands to make a difference. Beyond our own network, we are calling on everyone to take a video or photo, share it via social media, and thus pass on the wave. After all, everyone can make a difference.