Anyone. Anytime. Anywhere.

Everyday Urgent Awareness: Cardiac Arrest & CPR in Queensland

Cardiac emergencies do not wait for a calendar event or a national awareness day. Every single day across Queensland, everyday people—at home, at work, on the sporting field, or on holiday—face sudden cardiac arrest.

Many people believe cardiac arrest only affects the elderly or those with underlying health conditions, but the reality is that it can happen to anyone, at any age, without warning. When an emergency strikes, waiting for an ambulance is often not enough. Brain cells begin to die within minutes, making immediate bystander intervention the single most critical factor in survival.

By demystifying defibrillators and ensuring CPR training is up to date, we can empower every Queenslander to step forward and act with confidence when it matters most.

Where is your nearest defib right now? Don't wait for an emergency to find out.

Take a moment to think about your day: at home, at work, at your local gym, or where your children play sport. Do you know where the closest defibrillator is located? Is it accessible right now, or is it locked behind a door after business hours? Knowing where an AED is before an emergency occurs can save precious minutes when seconds count.

Key Queensland Cardiac Statistics

15+ Cases Every Day: Queensland Ambulance Service paramedics attend over 5,700 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests across the state each year.
80%+ Occur at Home: The vast majority of cardiac arrests happen in private residences, surrounded by family, friends, and neighbours.
Up to 70% Survival Increase: When bystander CPR is started immediately and an AED shock is delivered within 3 to 5 minutes, survival rates jump dramatically.
100% Guided & Safe: Modern AEDs automatically analyse the person's heart rhythm and provide clear, step-by-step audio instructions. The device will never deliver a shock unless it is necessary.

The Three Steps That Save Lives

When someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, remember Call, Push, Shock:

1 . Call

Call Triple Zero (000) immediately to get emergency medical support on the way.

2 . Push

Start CPR right away—push hard and fast in the centre of the chest to keep oxygenated blood circulating to the brain.

3 . Shock

Turn on the nearest AED as soon as it is available and follow the step-by-step voice prompts.

Build Your Lifesaving Capability

Get Trained: CPR & First Aid Courses

Build the practical skills and confidence needed to respond calmly in a critical moment. When a bystander delivers immediate CPR and applies an AED before emergency services arrive, a person's chance of survival increases dramatically—jumping from under 10% to as high as 70%.

Yet, while around 50% of Australians have taken a CPR course at some point in their lives, more than half haven't refreshed their skills in over 5 years. Confidence fades quickly over time, leaving only 40% of cardiac arrest victims receiving crucial bystander CPR while waiting for an ambulance.

Refreshing your skills ensures you won't hesitate when seconds count. St John Queensland offers accredited CPR and first aid courses across our training centres and venues statewide, with flexible booking options for individuals, families, and workplace groups.

Get Started with CPR Training

An image of someone holding a pocket AED

Get Equipped: Defibrillators & Bundles

Ensure your home, workplace, fleet vehicle, or community group is prepared with reliable, easy-to-use AED protection.

St John Pocket AED: Ultra-portable, lightweight protection designed for personal travel, glove boxes, and outdoor trips.
ZOLL AED Plus & G5 Units: Industry-leading defibrillators featuring real-time CPR feedback, ideal for businesses, schools, and public venues.
Complete AED Bundles: Includes wall cabinets, signage, first aid preparation kits, and AED units ready for immediate setup.

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WHERE IS YOUR NEAREST DEFIB RIGHT NOW?

Minutes matter in a cardiac emergency. Get trained and equipped with St John Queensland.

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Common AED Myths Busted

Myth: "I need formal medical training to operate a defib."
Fact: Modern AEDs are designed for complete beginners. Clear voice instructions and diagrams guide you through every single step.
Myth: "I might accidentally shock someone or make things worse."
Fact: AEDs analyse the heart's electrical rhythm automatically. The machine will only deliver a shock if the patient is in a shockable cardiac rhythm. You cannot mistakenly shock someone.
Myth: "CPR alone is enough until paramedics arrive."
Fact: CPR acts as a manual pump to keep blood flowing, but only an electrical shock from a defibrillator can reset a heart in cardiac arrest back into a normal rhythm.