About Us

Survival from sudden cardiac arrests relies on prompt and efficient action from bystanders in the community, as well as the whole Wellington Free Ambulance team, including call takers and dispatchers, first responders including GoodSAM providers and FENZ, ambulance staff, and hospital staff. Those who survive beyond the first month have usually had their circulation restored before reaching hospital.

Some of the key points in the 2021-22 report include: 

• In the year July 2021-June 2022, 234 patients in the Greater Wellington and Wairarapa region were treated for a cardiac arrest by Wellington Free Ambulance (on average between four and five people a week). 
  
  
• 26 percent of those survived to hospital arrival - largely thanks to bystanders performing CPR - and 10 percent of those surviving past 30 days post-hospital discharge.
  
  
• 77 percent received CPR from bystanders. 
  
  
• 7 percent received defibrillation by a community responder prior to ambulance arrival. 
  
  

Please click on the links below to read the full OHCA reports. 

Wellington Free Ambulance OHCA Report 2021 - 22

Whole of New Zealand OHCA Report 2021-22 

Survival rates can increase by up to 80% when a patient receives early CPR and the use of an AED from a bystander. Last year, we trained around 1,000 people through The Lloyd Morrison Foundation Heartbeat CPR training programme. To find out more and to book your free CPR training, please click here. 

When Marlene was alerted to a child drowning in the family pool at their home, she never imagined it would be her 16 year old daughter Sophia, a very confident swimmer. As Marlene rushed to the pool with her son Elliott, she discovered Sophia’s sister Brittany had jumped in and dragged Sophia from the bottom of the pool. Together, Brittany and Elliott frantically tried to revive her with lifesaving CPR.

Click here to read how Sophia's siblings helped save her life .