What is Restart a Heart Day?

Restart a Heart Day is an international initiative held every October to raise awareness about sudden cardiac arrest, one of the leading causes of death in Australia. It reminds us that emergencies can happen anywhere, at any time, and that every second matters.
The lifesaving message is simple: Call. Push. Shock.
Call 000 for help, push hard and fast with CPR, and shock with an AED.

Lifesaving is a Team Effort

To bring this message to life, St John Tasmania teamed up with UTAS Basketball and Jack the Jumper to demonstrate that saving lives, just like sport, requires speed, confidence and teamwork. Community members learnt how to recognise cardiac arrest, perform CPR and use a defibrillator, proving that you do not need to be a medical professional to make a difference.

Supporting the Community with AEDs

As part of the event, UTAS Basketball was presented with a St John G5 defibrillator through our Community Safe Grant Program, which helps local clubs and community groups access free AEDs. Having a defibrillator close by can mean the difference between life and death when cardiac arrest occurs.

Together, We Are Building a Safer Tasmania

Restart a Heart Day was a powerful reminder that saving lives starts with awareness, knowledge and access to the right tools. St John Tasmania is committed to empowering everyday Tasmanians with CPR and AED skills, increasing community access to defibrillators and creating a safer, more prepared state.

Strengthening Community Safety Together

St John Ambulance Tasmania Acting CEO Joanna Curteis presents a St John G5 defibrillator to a UTAS Basketball representative as part of our Community Safe Grant Program.
This AED will help ensure players, staff and spectators have access to lifesaving equipment in the event of a cardiac emergency.
Together, we are building a safer and more prepared sporting community in Tasmania.

Learning to Save Lives, On and Off the Court

Jack the Jumper teamed up with a UTAS Basketball player to demonstrate CPR during Restart a Heart Day, showing that learning to save a life can be engaging, fun and for everyone.
Just like in basketball, responding to cardiac arrest requires speed, teamwork and confidence — Call. Push. Shock.

But many Tasmanian communities still don’t have a defibrillator when it matters most.

💚 That’s why Shocktober is here.

For a limited time, you can:
✅ Save up to $300 on a St John AED
✅ Equip your workplace, club or organisation with a trusted lifesaving device
✅ Support our Community Safe Grant Program to place more AEDs across Tasmania.

Learn More