WHEN a Port Stephens man recently suffered a cardiac arrest while driving, quick-thinking passersby jumped in to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), ultimately saving his life.

Thanks to their swift actions, he had a positive outcome.

Hunter Heart Safe, a Newcastle-based nonprofit organisation, is working to make stories like this more common by raising public awareness and training in hands-only CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) use.

An AED is a portable device that can be used to treat a person whose heart has suddenly stopped working.

This condition is called sudden cardiac arrest.

AEDs are portable, lightweight and designed to be easy to use by providing step-by-step visual and audible instructions.

They are available in many public places, such as government buildings, schools, airports and other community spaces.

Hunter Heart Safe’s mission is ambitious and essential; boosting survival rates for sudden cardiac arrest from the current ten percent to the 65 percent seen in some overseas communities.

By equipping people with these critical skills, Hunter Heart Safe is empowering communities to respond effectively in emergencies and transforming survival outcomes.

On 28 November, at Boat Harbour tennis courts, Hunter Heart Safe will be running a free CPR and defib course from 10am.

Megan Chippindale from Hunter Heart Safe said locals were responsible for resuscitating a man that was having a cardiac arrest after he crashed into a pole.

”We are trying to get the locals and ambos responsible for saving him to the event, along with the man who survived.”

For those interested in the free training, contact meganchippindale@outlook.com.

By Simon EKINS