Resuscitation Council UK

Red and white graphic background with bold text stating, "Only 35% of people say they would get involved if they witnessed a cardiac arrest." At the bottom, it notes the source as research by Opinion Matters with UK respondents from September 4 to September 8, 2025.

When it comes to cardiac arrest, quick action = a stronger chance of survival.

But only 35% of people feel confident stepping in during an emergency like this.

We need to change this. Building CPR confidence and knowledge across the public can help save more lives.

A yellow public access defibrillator box is mounted on a wooden wall. Text on the image reads: "Public Access Defibrillators: A Guide for Communities.

Are you a defib guardian, or looking to install a defib in your community?

Our resource ‘Public Access Defibrillators: A Guide for Communities’, is designed to help individuals, community groups, and organisations make sure their defib is installed, maintained, and rescue ready.

👉 bit.ly/AEDguide

A comparison chart titled "Heart attack vs Cardiac arrest." It outlines the differences in cause, signs, and what to do for each condition. Cause: Heart attack is caused by a blood supply blockage, with the heart usually still beating. Cardiac arrest involves the heart stopping and abnormal or stopped breathing. Signs: Heart attack signs include chest pain, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Cardiac arrest signs involve sudden unconsciousness with no symptoms beforehand. What to do: For a heart attack, CPR is typically not required for a heart attack, however a heart attack can lead to cardiac arrest, in which case CPR is crucial. For cardiac arrest, call 999 and start CPR immediately for best survival chance.

💡 Did you know? A heart attack and a cardiac arrest are not the same thing.

Knowing the difference and how to respond in each situation could save a life.

Help us spread awareness and make sure more people know what to do in an emergency. ❤️

Infographic for a support after cardiac arrest resource. It includes three icons: a heartbeat line with "What is a cardiac arrest," a clipboard with "What to expect during recovery," and a steering wheel with "Returning to work and driving. There is a preview of the resource at the bottom with a banner stating, "Resource available now at resus.org.uk/publications."

Last year in collaboration with Save a Life Cymru we created the Support after cardiac arrest discharge resource.

Download the PDF: resus.org.uk/publications/support-after-cardiac-arrest-discharge-resource

Order a free printed copy (just pay packing and postage): resus.org.uk/product/42?v=43

"Around 38% of people do not know where their nearest defibrillator is," accompanied by an illustration of a defibrillator.

Do you know where your nearest public access defib is? If not, let’s change that today, because it could help you save a life.

Find your closest defib 👉 defibfinder.uk

A person is performing CPR on another person lying on the floor in a living room. Two others are watching the scene attentively. The text reads, "Give your workplace the skills to save a life." The bottom of the image includes the logo "e-Lifesaver."

A cardiac arrest can happen anywhere, including the workplace. Give your team the skills they need to save a life with our interactive e-Lifesaver course!

🛜 Fully online, accessible from anywhere
💡 Developed by RCUK’s clinical experts
💻 LMS-compatible

Learn more: resus.org.uk/e-lifesaver

Around 76% of people say they’d hesitate to use a defibrillator because they lack the knowledge and skills*. But did you know there is little skill involved in using a public access defib?

Watch Defib Dani explain below 👇

*Source: YouGov for University of Warwick Attitudes to CPR survey 2024

Will, a cardiac arrest survivor, standing on a hilly landscape with an overlaid quote from him reading "I'm only alive because people didn't hesitate. They knew CPR, they knew how to use a defibrillator, and they acted immediately."

Will’s Saturday routine of attending his local Parkrun unexpectedly became a situation of life or death when he suddenly went into cardiac arrest.

Read Will’s inspiring story: resus.org.uk/about-us/news-and-events/case-study-will-im-only-alive-because-people-didnt-hesitate

Infographic explaining what is taught on the Immediate Life Support (ILS) course: a heart monitor depicting cardiac arrest causes, "ABCDE approach" letters, a head profile for airway skills, a defibrillator for resuscitation, a flowchart for ALS algorithm, and a heart for arrest simulations. Website link included at the bottom.

If you're a healthcare professional, you could be the first to respond to a cardiac arrest.

Our Immediate Life Support course teaches you how to take charge in those early moments before the specialist team arrives.

👉 resus.org.uk/training-courses/adult-life-support/ils-immediate-life-support

Our friends at BT are helping us spread the love this Valentines Day by sharing a very important lifesaving message – if you’re in London, go check it out! ❤️

Learn the steps to CPR: www.resus.org.uk/public-resource/how-do-cpr

Last month we brought together survivors, co-survivors, and our patient and public involvement group for our annual thank you reception.

It was a chance to celebrate their vital role in shaping our work, as well as share our plans for 2026!

Infographic with text stating 'Nearly 4 in 10 students say they haven't received CPR training at school.' Underneath are 10 human icons, with the first four colored red and the rest white. Note: Research conducted by Opinion Matters between 20.03.2025-25.03.2025.

CPR is on the curriculum, so why are students missing out?

We’re asking governments and local authorities to follow through on their commitments by introducing systems to track CPR education, so every student gets the lifesaving skills they deserve.

Join us 👉 action.resus.org.uk/cpr-in-schools

Our courses for healthcare professionals go beyond teaching clinical knowledge and technical skills.

They develop essential non-technical skills such as teamwork, communication, leadership, and performance under pressure.

👉 www.resus.org.uk/professional-training

A red graphic titled "Three steps to save a life." It lists three steps: 1) "Check" with an eye emoji, instructing to shout for help and gently shake the person who has collapsed. 2) "Call" with a phone emoji, advising to call 999, use loudspeaker, and inform them of the situation. 3) "CPR" with a heart emoji, indicating to begin CPR following instructions from the call handler. At the bottom, there's a link to learn CPR at resus.org.uk.

If you’re new to CPR, just knowing the basics can make a big difference.

To help save a life, just remember the three C’s: Check, Call, CPR.

Blue background with "Happy heart month" written in light pink text with a red ECG line going through the design.

February is #HeartMonth ❤️

Knowing CPR and how to use a defibrillator can help save a life, and having the confidence to act quickly during a cardiac arrest can make all the difference.

Make sure you’re prepared by exploring our free public resources: www.resus.org.uk/public-resource

Infographic for RCUK's Newborn Life Support course, showing different topics covered in the course with corresponding icons. Includes resuscitation at birth, airway skills, vascular access, resuscitaire, and more.

If you’re a healthcare professional involved in the delivery and care of newborns, our Newborn Life Support course is a great CPD opportunity with practical, hands-on learning.

Find a course near you: resus.org.uk/training-courses/newborn-life-support/nls-newborn-life-support

Image of an audience attending a Resuscitation Council UK Instructor Day event in a large conference hall.

We’re excited to announce the 2026 RCUK Instructor Day will be taking place on Tuesday 24 November at The International Convention Centre in Birmingham.

Tickets are due to go on sale in spring – stay tuned for further details.

Infographic stating that around 80% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen at home, according to the University of Warwick OHCAO Annual Epidemiology and Outcomes report 2024. The background shows residential rooftops under a clear blue sky.

Around 80% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen at home. Would you know what to do if it happened in yours?

Protect the people you care about most by learning the steps to CPR and how to use a defib: resus.org.uk/public-resource/how-do-cpr

Text on a black background stating, "Bystander CPR can double the chance of surviving a cardiac arrest," with a pink heart and two hands forming a heart shape. A source link to PubMed is included at the bottom.

Your actions could help double someone’s chance of surviving an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

That’s why it’s vital everyone knows CPR ❤️

Person performing chest compressions with overlaid text reading "Happy New Year" and fireworks graphics.

Happy New Year to everyone across the resus community ❤️

We’re looking forward to continuing our lifesaving work in 2026, and helping more people across the UK become ResusReady.

Make your year count by ensuring you and your loved ones know CPR.

Two CPR manikins dressed up in Christmas clothes, sitting at a desk in front of a Christmas tree.

Seasons greetings from RCUK 🎄

Our phone lines will be closed from 12:00, 24 December to 08:00, 5 January 2026.

We'll see you in the new year!

Infographic titled 'Our year in numbers 2025' by Resuscitation Council UK, featuring highlights of the year such as over 2000 ResusReady registrations, updates to 3 Resuscitation Guidelines, 27 mentions in UK Parliament, and a grant of £51,000 awarded to community organisations for CPR training. Other details include 26,500 professional training courses delivered, over 5,000 petition signatures for government support in CPR training in schools, and 47 meetings with MPs/peers.

As we look ahead to 2026, we’re taking a moment to reflect on some of what we’ve achieved together this year.

Thank you for helping us move closer to a future where everyone can help save a life. ❤️

Poster by the British Heart Foundation advocating for updated Automated External Defibrillator (AED) units, featuring an AED in a cabinet and circuit-like design elements.

Is your defibrillator ready to help save lives this festive season?

Holiday closures and reduced opening hours can affect access to defibrillators.
Make sure your defibrillator is ready to help save a life - update The Circuit with your defib accessibility today: www.thecircuit.uk

Split image comparing paediatric resuscitation techniques from 2021 and 2025 guidelines, showing the two finger compression method on the 2021 side, and the two thumb encircling method on the 2025 side.

Image of an instructional checklist on performing baby CPR, with steps for checking the infant, calling emergency services, and administering chest compressions and breaths.

One key update in the 2025 Resuscitation Guidelines is a change in how CPR is performed on infants - moving from two-finger compressions to the two-thumb encircling method.

Cardiac arrest in infants is rare, but it’s worth taking a moment to be prepared.

Person holding a tote bag with ResusReady branding.

If you live in some of the poorest parts of the UK, or come from a particular ethnic minority background, you may be less likely to survive a cardiac arrest. We created ResusReady to help fight these inequalities in resuscitation.

Learn more: resus.org.uk/resusready

Bernie and her partner holding Leo, alongside a paramedic at a CPR training event.

You never expect your world to change in an instant, but Bernie’s did when she woke to find her baby gasping for air. Recognising it was a cardiac arrest, Bernie started CPR.

Read more: resus.org.uk/about-us/news-and-events/case-study-bernie-we-count-our-lucky-stars-every-day-leo-came-back-us

A busy outdoor Christmas market with people gathered around a large, decorated Christmas tree. The image includes a text overlay that says "A cardiac arrest can happen anywhere. Be prepared this Christmas."

Headed to a Christmas market or festive event during December?

Whilst medical teams are often on site, they could still be minutes away. If a cardiac arrest happens in a packed crowd, your actions could save a life.

Be prepared this Christmas. Learn CPR with our free online training: lifesaver.uk

Multiple hands raised with red hearts drawn on the palms, promoting Giving Tuesday for Resuscitation Council UK.

For Giving Tuesday, we want to say thank you to our many wonderful volunteers who give up their time throughout the year to help support our mission.

If you’re interested in volunteering with us, please get in touch with our Partnerships Manager - emilysmartt@resus.org.uk

Hand placing a red heart wearing a Santa hat into a donation slot, against a dark background with festive decorations, promoting Giving Tuesday and Resuscitation Council UK.

Today is Giving Tuesday - a global day celebrating generosity and doing good.

At RCUK, we’re committed to ensuring everyone in the UK has the skills to save a life. If you’d like to support our mission, you can donate here: donate.justgiving.com/charity/resus-uk/donation-amount

Promotional image featuring a cushion with the Resuscitation Council UK logo, placed beside a Christmas tree decorated with lights and red ornaments. The text 'A gift with a lifesaving message' is displayed at the top.

Give a gift that could save a life ❤️

Our CPR practice pillowcase lets you learn and practice CPR at home using a regular pillow. Scan the QR code or follow the insert to learn the steps.

A perfect stocking filler this Christmas: resus.org.uk/product/30?v=31