Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) clubs across the state will participate in this year’s Restart a Heart Day, on Friday 16 October.

Restart a Heart Day is an global initiative focused on raising awareness and educating the community about cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).

The annual observance aims to highlight the importance of knowing how to restart a heart that has stopped beating.

Several clubs will be hosting free drop-in CPR awareness sessions for their local communities, to teach attendees some simple steps that could help save a life.

SLSQ Head of Education Laura Bowart said increasing community awareness and confidence to respond to a cardiac emergency is an important part of strengthening Queensland’s lifesaving capability.

“Every Queenslander has the potential to make a lifesaving difference in an emergency, and knowing how to recognise a cardiac arrest, commence CPR and access an AED can be critical,” she said.

“Through these CPR-awareness community sessions, our clubs are helping make essential lifesaving knowledge more accessible, giving people the confidence to step forward and take action when it matters most”.

“We are proud to see our clubs continuing to support this important initiative and encourage Queenslanders of all ages to take the opportunity to learn skills that could one day save a life.”

Beyond Restart a Heart Day, SLSQ plays an important role in equipping Queenslanders with lifesaving skills through its Commercial Education programs.

Through the delivery of CPR, first aid and other accredited training courses, SLSQ helps individuals, workplaces and community groups build the skills and confidence to respond in an emergency.

Over the last 12 months, SLSQ’s Commercial Education team issued more than 8,000 training certificates, reflecting its ongoing commitment to improving community safety and emergency preparedness across Queensland.

Queenslanders are encouraged to visit a free CPR awareness session at a participating SLSQ club on Friday 16 October.