4 minute read
Justine’s cardiac crusade
In 2020, Mornington Peninsula mother Justine Phillips survived a sudden cardiac arrest at the age of 46, likely triggered by emotional stress, despite being physically fit. She speaks to Sarah Halfpenny about how her teenage children's quick CPR action saved her and inspired her to establish Heart Matters Australia.
How did your experience as a cardiac arrest survivor inspire you to start Heart Matters Australia?
I had no knowledge of what cardiac arrest was. I thought it was another term used for heart attack. I now know the two are very different and require different treatment. In order to save the life of someone who suffers a cardiac arrest, every second counts.
How has your perspective on stress management changed since your cardiac arrest?
I was the person who worried about every issue, big and small, and not just for myself but for my family, friends and the world, whether I could control it or not. To avoid my feelings associated with grief, I threw myself into work, home life and volunteering. Since my cardiac arrest I only focus on what I can control. I listen and help others where I can but that’s it, and I allow myself to feel everything. Tools I use to manage stress are meditation, breath work, journalling and getting out in nature. I attend breath work, kinesiology and spinal energetic sessions to assist with healing deep-rooted trauma and blockages. Today’s world is hectic and we need to take time out. Our bodies are constantly under stress; we need to learn to calm our minds, otherwise it will catch up with us. Find what works for you, whether that be going to the gym, a walk in nature or walking the dogs, or even sitting in your car for five minutes when you get home and closing your eyes to focus on the noises around you or your breath.
How can our community better prepare itself to respond to cardiac emergencies?
Know the signs of cardiac arrest, learn how to perform effective CPR by attending a nationally recognised CPR course, and know where the nearest automated external defibrillator is to your home, business, community or sporting group. There are two apps that are brilliant to use: GoodSam, and Heart of the Nation. If you own an AED you can register it with both apps and you can also sign up to become a responder. This means that if there’s a cardiac arrest within minutes of you, you will receive an alert, and if you are able to attend to assist with care until Ambulance Victoria arrives, you accept and all relevant details are provided. You can also decline to attend.
Tell us about the courses you offer through Heart Matters Australia. At Heart Matters Australia we offer nationally recognised courses in HLTAID011 Provide First Aid, HLTAID009 Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, HLTAID012 Provide First Aid in an Education and Care Setting, and a non-accredited CPR and AED awareness session, which is popular with families and groups who want to learn how to perform CPR and use an AED but without the formal certification or having to complete any precourse learning.
I always share my story, as it’s relatable to everyone for different reasons, and I am living proof that when effective CPR is performed it can be the difference between life or death. I place emphasis on giving participants as much time as they need to practise performing CPR on the mannikins, as I believe the more familiar they become in a controlled environment, if faced with a real-life scenario they will be confident with what they need to do.
What motivates you with Heart Matters and what are your goals?
When I see parents with tears in their eyes after hearing my story and at the end of a session they mention they’re going home to talk to their kids about what to do, that motivates me. As does the thought that any of my participants leaving a session are now equipped with the skills, knowledge and confidence they require to save the life of a loved one, work colleague or stranger.
My goals are to educate as many people as I can about what to do in the event of cardiac arrest, with the hope of saving lives and increasing the survival rate of ‘out of hospital’ cardiac arrest, which currently sits at 5 per cent. I also want to get more AEDs out into communities that are accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, as cardiac arrest happens to anyone, anywhere, anytime. It does not discriminate.
