World Restart a Heart Day: The Importance of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
World Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Day: The Italian Red Cross Commitment
Every year on 16 October, the world comes together to celebrate ‘World Restart a Heart Day’, or World Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Day. This date aims to raise awareness about the importance of life-saving manoeuvres and how each of us can actually make a difference.
The Mission of the Italian Red Cross
Always active on the front line to ensure the safety and well-being of communities, the Italian Red Cross (ICRC) plays a key role on this day, reinforcing its mission through public initiatives and outreach campaigns. Their goal is clear: to make every citizen a possible hero, ready to intervene in case of emergency.
‘Relay of the Heart’: Common Commitment for a Greater Good
Italian squares come alive with the ‘Relay of the Heart’, an initiative that sees CRI volunteers at work to educate the population on CPR manoeuvres. Through practical exercises, citizens can learn how to perform cardiac massage on a dummy, with the aim of maintaining a constant and safe rhythm. This exercise not only increases awareness of life-saving techniques, but also creates a sense of community and cooperation among participants.
Innovation and Training: The Snapchat Initiative
Training is not limited to the physical environment. In fact, by partnering with Snapchat and other international organisations, the CRI offers an interactive, augmented reality learning experience. This CPR-dedicated lens offers users the chance to practise rescue manoeuvres virtually, emphasising the correct sequence of actions to take in an emergency.
Education and Prevention: In Search of Safety
While the Snapchat Lens cannot replace an official CPR course, it is nevertheless an innovative and useful tool to introduce people to fundamental concepts. The ultimate goal is to equip each individual with the necessary knowledge to deal with an emergency situation, potentially saving lives.
Every Action Counts
World CPR Day reminds us that each of us can make a difference. Whether it is participating in a street event, using an interactive Snapchat lens or simply sharing information, every action contributes to building a safer and more prepared society. The CRI, with its unwavering commitment, shows us that with education and training, we can all become everyday heroes.