Source: Radio New Zealand
Dr Elena Garcia, St John. Supplied / St John
Only a quarter of people who have cardiac arrest in the community survive the trip to hospital, according to a new report by ambulance services.
Hato Hone St John and Wellington Free Ambulance have released the latest annual Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest Report, saying “out-of-hospital cardiac arrests” (OHCAs) remain a major public health challenge.
Between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2025, 2466 people were treated for cardiac arrest by ambulance officers across the country – almost seven a day.
Eighty-one percent of patients received CPR from a bystander, but only six percent received treatment with a defibrillator, otherwise known as an AED.
Twenty-four percent of patients survived to hospital arrival, and only 12 percent survived a month after the event – similar numbers to previous years.
Dr Elena Garcia, deputy clinical director at St John, said making sure people received timely CPR or AED access could be the difference between life or death.
“We know that patients who have recieved community defibrillation from an AED have more than double the odds of survival, so it’s just about getting them to the patients when they need them.
“It’s about having AEDs in communities all across New Zealand, and making sure they’re truly available in terms of being open to the community, 24/7 access, and unlocked.”
They were very straightforward to use, she said – the 111 call-taker could walk someone through it, or the AED itself would have an automated voice telling the first responder where to put the stickers and which buttons to press.
Deputy chief executive for clinical services at Hato Hone St John, Jon Moores, agreed that improving community confidence and capability remained essential, along with increasing awareness of early signs of cardiac arrest and the availability of AEDs.
Key metrics from the past five years regarding cardiac arrests outside of hospitals. Supplied / Hato Hone St John / Wellington Free Ambulance
Inequalities for women, Māori and Pacific peoples highlighted by data
The data showed Māori and Pacific peoples tended to have cardiac arrests more often, and earlier in life, along with people living in rural and higher-deprivation communities.
Hato Hone St John’s clinical evaluation, research and insights manager, Dr Sarah Maessen, explained Māori were 1.4 times more likely to suffer cardiac arrest and faced this risk a decade earlier in life than non-Māori.
Female patients had lower odds of survival at 50 percent, and were about 60 percent less likely to receive defibrillation from another member of the public than males.
Garcia said it was possible there was a fear of removing women’s clothing, or exposing them in an inappropriate way.
“Do what you can and help the patient, because they will be very glad to survive.”
Wellington Free Ambulance executive medical director Dr Erica Douglass said it worked to train people across the Wellington region in CPR and using AEDs through The Lloyd Morrison Foundation Heartbeat CPR Training programme.
“Last year close to 10,000 people across Greater Wellington and Wairarapa learnt this lifesaving skill,” she said. “This training is free of charge thanks to cornerstone partner Julie Nevett and The Lloyd Morrison Foundation who fund this essential programme.
“The data in this report shows us the positive impact bystander CPR and AED use has for chances of survival in a sudden cardiac arrest, and we encourage everyone to undertake training, know where their closest AED is and be ready to assist if needed.”
Key facts from the report
- 72 percent of cardiac arrests happen at home, 16 percent in public areas, and 4 percent in aged care facilities
- 43 percent of out-of-hospital events were attended by at least one GoodSAM responder
- 70 percent of those patients were male
- 94 percent of cardiac events were co-responded to and attended by Fire and Emergency
- Median age of patients: Māori – 59 years; Pacific peoples – 60 years; non-Māori, non-Pacific peoples – 69 years
How can you help?
Take part in St John’s community education programme ‘[www.stjohn.org.nz/what-we-do/community-programmes/3-steps-for-life/ 3 Steps for Life]’ for one hour of free CPR and AED training.
Then sign up to [www.stjohn.org.nz/first-aid/lifesaving-apps/ GoodSAM], an app which alerts nearby people trained in CPR and defibrillation, when someone nearby is having a cardiac arrest.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand