St John WA has launched its first ever public podcast, Clinical Practice Radio (CPR). Designed by clinicians for clinicians, the show discusses a range of clinical and management topics using the latest evidence-based research and inviting subject matter experts to share their insights. Hosted by St John WA Deputy Director of Paramedicine Andy Bell alongside Clinical Leads Megan Currie and Nick Overington.
Shocktober: Strengthening the Chain of Survival (S2 Ep11)
Every second counts during a cardiac arrest, and the actions taken before an ambulance arrives can make a critical difference.
In this Shocktober episode of Clinical Practice Radio (CPR), the team is joined by St John WA Community Response Manager Caitlyn Pavey-Smith and Resuscitation Improvement Specialist Jason Belcher to explore the importance of early intervention and the role our community plays in strengthening the chain of survival.
Together, they discuss St John WA's First Responder app and State Defibrillator Network, and how these initiatives help connect people experiencing cardiac arrest with trained community responders and accessible defibrillators in those crucial first few minutes. Through real-life examples, they highlight the importance of early CPR, defibrillation and the collective effort involved in responding to cardiac arrest.
The conversation also explores how everyone can play a part, from learning CPR and completing first aid training to registering a defibrillator or becoming a community first responder. A great discussion about how the chain of survival helps save lives.
1 Oct 2026
Shocktober: Making the first shock the best shock (S2 Ep10)
It's Shocktober! In this episode, the team is joined by St John WA Resuscitation Improvement Specialist Jason Belcher to take a deep dive into the science of defibrillation and the small changes that can help make the first shock the best shock.
The conversation focuses on the three Ps – placement, prep and perfusion – exploring why correct pad placement matters, how preparing the patient can improve pad contact, and why minimising interruptions to chest compressions is so important when delivering a shock.
The team also discusses the differences between public AEDs and the defibrillators used by paramedics, high-performance CPR and some of the emerging approaches to defibrillation, including vector change and double sequential defibrillation. They unpack what current research tells us, where the evidence is still developing and why getting the fundamentals right remains key.
A practical discussion on the science behind defibrillation and how clinicians can optimise everything within their control to give patients the best possible chance during cardiac arrest.
References
ANZCOR BLS Guideline 7 – Automated External Defibrillation in Basic Life Support
ANZCOR ALS Guideline 11.4 – Electrical Therapy for Adult Advanced Life Support
Cheskes et al (2011) Perishock Pause: An Independent Predictor of Survival From Out-of-Hospital Shockable Cardiac Arrest https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.110.010736
Cheskes et al (2022) Defibrillation Strategies for Refractory Ventricular Fibrillation [DOSE-VF study] https://www.nejm.org/doi/abs/10.1056/NEJMoa2207304
Other ongoing Double Sequential External Defibrillation (DSED) trials
German Clinical Trials Register
NCT06672159 | Initial Double Sequential External Defibrillation in Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest (DUALDEFIB)
NCT06447805 | Early Double Sequential Defibrillation in Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest (DOUBLE-D)
NCT06781892 | Strategies for Defibrillation During Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (STRAT-DEFI)
16 Sept 2026
First Nations Care: Building Respect and Trust (S2 Ep9)
In this episode, Megan Currie and Nick Overington are joined by St John WA First Nations Lead and Paramedic Jeremy Maitland-Smith to explore trauma-informed and culturally informed care when working with First Nations patients and communities.
The conversation explores the key principles of trauma-informed practice - safety, trust, choice, collaboration and empowerment - and how these can be brought back to two simple concepts: respect and trust.
Jeremy shares practical considerations for culturally informed care, highlighting that clinicians don't need to know everything about every culture. Instead, keeping an open mind, asking respectful questions and taking the time to listen can help clinicians better understand the individual, their family and the cultural considerations that may influence their care.
An insightful discussion on starting the conversation, allowing space for silence and working with patients to make decisions about their care – principles that can support better interactions with every patient, every time.
Reach and audience
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Apple Podcasts (US)
2.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
4.9 / 5
40 ratings
Contact Clinical Practice Radio (CPR)
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