Learning to Act When Every Second Counts

For Ms Winnie and her husband, Mr Tan Chek Wan, attending the CPR+AED Certification Course organised by the Singapore Heart Foundation (SHF) was a decision rooted in preparedness and shared responsibility. As a caregiver, Ms Winnie’s daily routine involves supporting her husband, who has survived both a heart attack and a stroke. But her motivation goes beyond personal caregiving. Influenced by friends managing cardiac conditions, she wants to ensure she could respond effectively in an emergency.

The course has had an immediate impact. Clear, concise and hands-on, the training has given her the confidence to act when the need arises. In her view, the real strength of the programme lies in its simplicity—making potentially life-saving knowledge accessible to everyday people, not just medical professionals.

Mr Tan’s story underlines the importance of awareness. When he suffered a heart attack, he didn’t recognise the signs. It wasn’t until the following day that he sought treatment. Thankfully, his stroke had not affected a major artery, and he has since been focused on recovery. While he didn’t take part in the physical component of the training, he found the course useful and reassuring. Knowing the steps, even without performing them, has helped him better understand what to expect if a crisis occurs.

Both Ms Winnie and Mr Tan believe strongly in the value of education whatever it involves. They stress that the course isn’t just for caregivers or those with medical problems. It is for anyone who wants to be able to help. As Ms Winnie points out, even basic awareness can make a critical difference. Mr Tan affirms that when someone is in distress, a bystander or a relative who has the knowledge and skills to respond proactively could mean saving a life.

Their message is straightforward: don’t wait until it’s too late to learn how to respond to a medical crisis. The knowledge is accessible, the skills are practical, and the impact could be life-changing.

Sign up to learn CPR+AED at https://www.myheart.org.sg/techniques/take-a-course/.