Nearly 300 people drowned in Australian waterways last year, a figure that could be significantly reduced if more people knew CPR.

Australians understand the importance of these lifesaving skills – a new Poolwerx survey indicates 95 percent of Australians believe all parents and pool owners should have CPR training – however only a third of parents surveyed had a current CPR qualification.

To equip more Australians with these life saving skills, Poolwerx is joining forces with the Australian Red
Cross for April Pools Day, to offer 4,000 Australians free online CPR for Babies and Children training.

From 1 April to 15 April 2022, Australians can sign up on Poolwerx’ AprilPoolsDay.com.au website to
receive access to a free CPR course from Australian Red Cross valued at $100. Following completion of
the online unit, individuals can also save 20 per cent if they want to complete either a Red Cross
certified First Aid or CPR course; or a more comprehensive First Aid for Babies and Children course (all
available as either blended/live or virtual).

Drowning is known as ‘the silent killer’, so Poolwerx also crafted a Spotify playlist with songs from every
decade, to allow Australians to pick their favourite 110 beats per minute song – the recommended rate
to perform chest compressions.

Since launching April Pools Day in 2016, Poolwerx has provided CPR training to more than 15,000
Australians, with participation growing every year.

In 2022, Olympic gold medallist and water safety advocate Libby Trickett is teaming up with Poolwerx
and the Australian Red Cross to encourage more Aussies to sign up to learn CPR.

“When my daughter had her own near-drowning experience, I remember the sense of helplessness
that washed over me, so knowing now that I’m armed with CPR training, I feel like I can take control and
make a difference in a bad situation,” Mrs Trickett said.

“You don’t need CPR until you do, and to think we could potentially save nearly 300 lives if more

Aussies had CPR training, it’s a no-brainer to sign up to the free online course.”

Libby Trickett revealed her go-to CPR song is Wannabe by the Spice Girls.

“It’s a song that I can never get out of my head so knowing it could help me save a life is a great
feeling,” Mrs Trickett said.

Australian Red Cross first aid trainer Deb Lowe reiterated Libby Trickett’s stance that water safety is
everyone’s responsibility and CPR is a part of that.

“Knowing that in the time of need you can safely and accurately deploy CPR and potentially save a life
is a great feeling and we need more every day Aussies equipped with these life-saving skills,” Ms Lowe
said.

“Drowning is usually silent and it might be too late when first responders arrive. A person is four times
more likely to survive drowning if administered CPR so it is absolutely vital parents have this skill.”

Poolwerx founder and CEO John O’Brien said April Pools Day served as a timely reminder for parents
to always be prepared and keep their children safe around water.

“Australians live their lives around the water so we will continue to champion water safety and urge
Aussie parents to come together and learn a new life-saving skill this April Pools Day,” Mr O’Brien said.
Mr O’Brien said his go-to song is Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple.

“It’s an iconic song for more than one reason now. It helps me to keep pace and stay focused when I
need to most,” Mr O’Brien said.

To sign up for the free online CPR course, please visit AprilPoolsDay.com.au.