St John Ambulance Supports Restart a Heart Day 2025

St John Ambulance Isle of Man volunteers proudly partnered with colleagues from Manx Care on Saturday 18 October for the annual Restart a Heart campaign. The joint effort aimed to empower the Manx public with the confidence and skills needed to save a life in the event of a cardiac arrest.

The public engagement session took place at The Strand Shopping Centre, running from 10am to 4pm. It was fantastic to see so many members of the public stop by to learn vital skills, as the dedicated St John Ambulance team and Manx Care staff offered comprehensive, hands-on demonstrations covering the full cardiac arrest response:

• Instructing members of the public on how two hands can maintain blood flow to the brain when demonstrating CPR.
• Showcasing the quick and effective use of an AED.
• Providing a safe, practical way for visitors to learn how to help a choking victim with choking vest training demonstrations.

To highlight the importance of this campaign and the difference early intervention can make, the Tower of Refuge and Ramsey Swing Bridge were illuminated in red as a powerful closing gesture to the day.

The volunteers were proud to be helping more people gain the confidence to save a life, because anyone can be affected by a cardiac arrest at any time. A massive thank you from the St John Ambulance team to everyone who came along, got involved, and backed this important cause.

Claire Pickering, CEO of St John Ambulance Isle of Man says: “This annual event is incredibly important for public safety, but it holds a special place for our team as it helps us continue the vital legacy of our dear colleague, Steve Crowe. His passion to help others and dedication to life-saving education inspires all our volunteers to empower the community with these essential skills, ensuring his spirit and efforts live on.”