Shocktober is a community awareness initiative that takes place every October, designed to shine a spotlight on the importance of early intervention during sudden cardiac arrest. The campaign is centred around three simple actions: Call, Push, Shock — meaning call emergency services, push hard and fast on the chest (CPR), and shock using an AED if one is available.
While the name “Shocktober” might sound light‑hearted, its purpose is serious: to educate and empower everyday us to act when someone collapses in cardiac arrest. These moments are critical, and what happens in the first few minutes can mean the difference between life and death.
The Reality of Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Australia
Sudden cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and Australia is no exception. According to the Heart Foundation, more than 32,000 Australians experience an out‑of‑hospital cardiac arrest every year, with survival rates sitting at just around 10% (Heart Foundation). This means that for every ten people who collapse, only one will survive long enough to leave the hospital.
A recent study published in the Medical Journal of Australia confirmed that survival after EMS treatment for cardiac arrest in Australia remains low, with just 12% of patients surviving to hospital discharge or 30 days (PMC Study). This statistic underscores the urgency of campaigns like Shocktober — because in many cases, it’s not the ambulance crew who makes the first difference, but bystanders.
Why Every Minute Counts
When cardiac arrest occurs, the heart suddenly stops pumping blood effectively, and oxygen is no longer delivered to the brain and other vital organs. Without intervention, permanent brain damage can occur within minutes. Survival rates decrease by approximately 10% for every minute without CPR (Heart Foundation).
Early CPR and the use of an AED within the first 3–5 minutes can boost survival rates to as high as 60–70%. That means quick action by a bystander could be the single most important factor in saving a life.
Closing the Gap in Public Awareness
Despite the lifesaving potential of CPR, many Australians are either untrained or out of practice. A national survey published in BMJ Open found that while 56% of adults have completed CPR training at some point, only 22% had refreshed their skills within the past year (BMJ Open Study). This gap in confidence and readiness is precisely what Shocktober aims to close.
Beyond training, AED accessibility is also a challenge. Research from Monash University revealed that regions with higher‑risk populations often have lower AED availability and fewer bystander interventions (Monash University). Campaigns like Shocktober not only educate but encourage businesses, schools, and public facilities to register and display their AEDs.
What “Call, Push, Shock” Really Means
Shocktober campaigns focus on practical, easy‑to‑remember steps:
- Call: Dial Triple Zero (000) immediately — the faster help is on the way, the better.
- Push: Start hands‑only CPR by pushing hard and fast in the centre of the chest, about 100–120 compressions per minute.
- Shock: If an AED is nearby, use it right away. Modern AEDs provide voice prompts and are designed to be used by anyone.
This messaging is intentionally simple so that even someone with no formal training can take action.
The Broader Impact of Awareness Campaigns
Public awareness initiatives like Shocktober are not just about education — they change behaviour. A study on national resuscitation campaigns found that months with active awareness campaigns saw increased rates of bystander CPR and AED use, resulting in more lives saved (PubMed Study).
Such campaigns can also:
- Reduce fear of doing the wrong thing — many bystanders hesitate out of anxiety.
- Increase AED registration, making devices easier to locate.
- Encourage refresher training, helping communities stay ready.
- Normalise bystander intervention, especially among young people and workplaces.
Everyone Can Be a First Responder
One of the most important messages of Shocktober is that you don’t need to be a doctor, paramedic, or even formally trained to save a life. Anyone can:
- Recognise the signs of cardiac arrest (sudden collapse, no breathing, no pulse).
- Call Triple Zero.
- Begin CPR.
- Use an AED if available.
Technology is also helping turn ordinary people into lifesavers. The GoodSAM App alerts registered volunteers when there is a nearby emergency and shows the location of the nearest AEDs, helping them respond faster. This app is a powerful way to connect communities and increase bystander intervention. To learn more, you can read our past blog about GoodSAM here: Read More About GoodSAM.
By combining human readiness with tools like GoodSAM, campaigns like Shocktober help build stronger, more resilient communities.
Our Commitment to the Cause
As part of the community that supports and encourages Shocktober awareness, we are doing our part to make life‑saving skills and equipment more accessible. This October, we will be putting our AEDs on sale and offering discounted CPR courses. By doing so, we aim to empower more people to act confidently in an emergency and help strengthen community response rates.
Button Links:
CPR Courses: https://emergency.com.au/our-courses/first-aid-courses/hltaid009-cpr/
AED’s: https://emergency.com.au/product-category/aed/
Conclusion: Why Shocktober Matters
Shocktober is more than a month‑long campaign — it’s a call to action. With over 32,000 cardiac arrests annually in Australia, every second counts. The faster someone acts, the greater the chance of survival.
This October, take the time to refresh your CPR skills, learn where your nearest AED is located, and share this knowledge with friends and family. You may never know whose life you could save — but you’ll be ready if the moment comes.
Sources:
Heart Foundation. (n.d.). Cardiac arrest. Retrieved September 11, 2025, from https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/your-heart/cardiac-arrest?utm_
Gräsner, J. T., Wnent, J., Herlitz, J., Perkins, G. D., Lefering, R., Tjelmeland, I. B., … & Böttiger, B. W. (2023). Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Australia: Incidence and survival rates. Medical Journal of Australia, 218(1), 34–42. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11037527/?utm_
Bennett, C. L., McNally, B., Noonan, G., & Nadkarni, V. M. (2020). Australia’s awareness of cardiac arrest and rates of CPR training: A national cross-sectional survey. BMJ Open, 10(1), e033722. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/10/1/e033722?utm_
Monash University. (2023, March 20). Australian regions needing cardiac arrest education revealed. Retrieved September 11, 2025, from https://www.monash.edu/news/articles/australian-regions-needing-cardiac-arrest-education-revealed?utm_
Park, J., Ro, Y. S., Shin, S. D., & Song, K. J. (2023). Impact of media-based public awareness campaigns on out-of-hospital cardiac arrest incidence and mortality. Resuscitation, 188, 109–116. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37562665/?utm_