From the deep south to the Far North, Hato Hone St John is embarking on a nationwide mission to empower 10,000 people with essential lifesaving skills. 

As part the organisation’s annual Shocktober campaign, more than 20 New Zealand communities will host 3 Steps for Life training sessions – ending in Kaitaia on October 30. 

Dubbed the Heartbeat Highway tour, the campaign will have a particular focus on equipping people in rural and isolated communities with lifesaving skills such as calling 111, how to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and how to use an automated external defibrillator. 

Jacci Tatnell, Hato Hone St John Head of Community Education, says Shocktober aims to tackle one of the leading causes of death in New Zealand: cardiac arrest. 

“Every day, six people experience cardiac arrest outside hospital care but, sadly, only about one in ten will survive.” 

While the statistics are alarming, Jacci says survival rates can more than double with help from bystanders.  

“For every minute without CPR or defibrillation, a patient’s chance of survival falls by ten-to-15 percent.

“Simply put, if more people have the confidence and skills to perform CPR and use an AED, more lives will be saved.”

To help build a “Stronger, healthier and more-resilient Aotearoa”, Jacci is encouraging as many New Zealanders as possible to sign up for a free 3 Steps for Life session near them.

“Whether you’re in Hokitika, Tauranga or Timaru, we’ll be hosting dozens of events - both large and small - so gather your friends, whanau or colleagues and join us on our lifesaving mission.”

Coinciding with the midpoint of this year’s Shocktober campaign is World Restart a Heart Day on October 16.

Hato Hone St John will be marking the occasion by hosting New Zealand’s highest ever 3 Steps for Life course.

People trained in the 3 Steps for Life are also encouraged to download the GoodSAM app, which notifies users when a patient nearby is experiencing a cardiac arrest, so the app user can administer help. 

To date, more than 12,000 trained volunteers have signed up to the app, with GoodSAM responders attending about 10 percent of cardiac arrests in New Zealand.

SHOCKTOBER DATES 

(More dates, times and locations to be confirmed. Details are subject to change)

October 1 – Stewart Island, Oban Fire Station, 10am and 1pm 

October 2 – Invercargill, Invercargill Licensing Trust (not a public event)

October 4 – Gore, Multi Sports Complex, 9am to 3pm 

October 5 – Queenstown (TBC)

October 7 – Timaru, Hato Hone St John Retail Store, 10am to 2pm

October 7 – Cambridge, Farmers’ Market

October 9 – Amberley, 9am to 12pm

October 11 – Mossburn, Lions Club 

October 11 – Christchurch, South City Mall, 11am to 2pm

October 12 – Greymouth, ASB Greymouth, 5pm

October 13 – Murchison, Tasman, 11am to 2pm

October 14 – Hawera, Taranaki

October 15– Invercargill, St Theresa’s Church  

October 16 – Wellington + Auckland special event to be announced 

October 17 – Kaikoura, Kaikoura Ambulance Station (TBC)

October 17 – Palmerston North (not a public event) 

October 20 – Tauranga, Ambulance Station  

October 22 – Taupo, Kinloch Market, 9am to 4pm

October 23 – Gisborne (TBC)

October 25 – Helensville, Auckland region 

October 25 – Auckland, Mt Roskill Library, 11am to 1pm  

October 28 – Ruakākā, Bream Bay Ambulance Station, 9am to 4pm  

October 29 – Russell

October 30 – Kaitaia