When Is Restart a Heart Day 2025? Everything You Need to Know 

Every minute counts when a person’s heart suddenly stops. Across Australia, thousands of lives are lost to cardiac arrest every years, many of which could be saved through quick action, early CPR, and defibrillation. Restart a Heart Day is a global initiative designed to change that. 

Each October, ambulance services, first aid providers, schools, and workplaces unite to promote one vital message: anyone can save a life. You don’t need medical experience or a uniform, just the confidence to act when it matters most. 

The annual event helps raise awareness about sudden cardiac arrest and encourages Australians to learn lifesaving skills such as CPR training and how to use an AED. Whether it’s joining a free public training session, sharing the “Call, Push, Shock” message, or simply learning what to do when someone collapses, Restart a Heart Day is about empowering every person to respond with confidence. 

Date & Significance 

In 2025, Restart a Heart Day will be held on 16 October. In Victoria, it’s recognised as part of the Shocktober campaign, which focuses on building “Heart Safe Communities” and spreading awareness of how early CPR and defibrillation can double or triple survival rates. 

Globally, the campaign is coordinated by the European Resuscitation Council and supported locally by the Council of Ambulance Authorities. In Australia, there are demonstrations and awareness activities, all centred around the mission to improve cardiac arrest survival rates outside hospitals. 

Why 16 October? 

The global movement designates mid-October each year as the key awareness period for cardiac arrest response. Aligning the date ensures consistent messaging, stronger participation, and greater public visibility. 

In Australia, Restart a Heart Day is part of larger campaigns like Shocktober, allowing emergency services, schools, and workplaces to plan community events throughout the month. You can read more about these efforts on Ambulance Victoria’s Shocktober page. 

What Happens on Restart a Heart Day 

On 16 October, you’ll see communities across the country host events designed to educate, inspire, and prepare people to act in a cardiac emergency. These activities may include: 

• Public CPR and AED training sessions led by ambulance services, local councils, and first aid trainers. 

• Heart Safe Community events that teach residents how to recognise cardiac arrest and respond quickly. 

• School and workplace campaigns encouraging staff and students to learn lifesaving skills. 

• Live demonstrations and CPR challenges hosted by paramedics and emergency service teams. 

NSW Ambulance offers free community sessions where participants can learn basic CPR and AED use. In the ACT, the Emergency Services Agency promotes the “Call, Push, Shock” message — a simple, memorable framework that teaches anyone to act without hesitation. 

Here’s what each step means: 

1. Call — Dial Triple Zero (000) immediately if someone is unresponsive and not breathing. Early activation of emergency services is the first and most critical step. 
2. Push — Begin CPR training compressions straight away. Push hard and fast in the centre of the chest — about 100 to 120 compressions per minute — to keep blood flowing to vital organs. 
3. Shock — Use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) as soon as one becomes available. These devices are designed for public use and will guide you through each step with voice prompts. 

This “Call, Push, Shock” message lies at the heart of the Restart a Heart campaign — empowering ordinary Australians to become lifesavers. 

Why Timing Matters 

When someone suffers a cardiac arrest, their chance of survival decreases by about 10% for every minute without CPR or defibrillation. According to Ambulance Victoria, quick CPR and early AED use before paramedics arrive can more than double survival rates. 

That’s why Restart a Heart Day’s timing — a global reminder each 16 October — is so powerful. It reinforces the need for readiness, training, and immediate action, not just once a year but every day. 

How to Get Involved in 2025 

Here’s how you can take part in Restart a Heart Day 2025: 

• Attend a free CPR or AED session through your local ambulance service or Ambulance Victoria’s Shocktober events. 

• Host a CPR awareness session at your school, workplace, or sporting club. 

• Share educational materials and videos that promote the Call, Push, Shock message. 

• Volunteer at local health or safety events. 

• Explore community resources on the official Restart a Heart website. 

By learning CPR and understanding how to use an AED, you could one day save a life — at work, at home, or even in public. 

Sources: 

Ambulance NSW. (2024, October 16). Learn CPR with NSW Ambulance on Restart a Heart Day. https://www.ambulance.nsw.gov.au/news/news-items/learn-cpr-with-nsw-ambulance-on-restart-a-heart-day