Public Resource

CPR information
Person with hands interlocked, doing CPR on a mannequin with defib placed in position

How to do CPR

Learn how to perform CPR so you can give someone the chance of survival if they collapse and stop breathing.

Survivor Paul holds the defibrillator that saved his life

Defibrillation

Find out more about defibrillators, also known as AEDs or PADs.

A teen in school uniform gets ready to do CPR on a manikin

CPR in Secondary Schools

At RCUK, we believe that everyone should learn the skills to save a life. Use our lesson plan to help teach your students with confidence.

Ways you can learn CPR skills
Teens surround their friend who has had a cardiac arrest

Lifesaver learning

With our interactive game in a film Lifesaver, you’ll find yourself at the heart of the emergency. Learn CPR skills at home, in your workplace or in VR mode!

RSAH logo

Restart a Heart

Taking place on or around 16 October every year, members of the public learn essential CPR skills as part of Restart a Heart. Will you join us this year?

An image of people surrounding a manikin which is being given CPR by a person in a grey jumper. The BLSi logo is on the bottom right-hand side.

Basic Life Support Instructor Course (BLSi)

BLSi has been created to empower first aid Instructors and others teaching Basic Life Support (BLS), on how to deliver effective, confidence-inspiring and inclusive teaching to a high standard.

Support after cardiac arrest
Image of man holding a red paper heart to their chest.

Support after cardiac arrest

Welcome to Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK)’s dedicated support page for cardiac arrest survivors and for those involved in a resuscitation attempt. 

Group of people smiling and holding placards with the My Right to Cardiac Recovery messaging on them

Get involved: My Right To Cardiac Arrest Recovery

Find out why we’re campaigning to improve the post-cardiac arrest support offered by the NHS – and what you can do to get involved. 

Information on decision-making
Hands being held in a caring way.

ReSPECT

The ReSPECT process creates personalised recommendations for a person’s clinical care and treatment in a future emergency in which they are unable to make or express choices.

Healthcare professional explains forms to family

CPR Decisions and DNACPR

Learn more about why CPR decisions are important, and how you can discuss and record your CPR decisions.

More information
FAQs graphic

FAQs

We’ve compiled answers to your frequently asked questions on a variety of topics.

Photo of Sam, who shared his story

Share your story

If you are a cardiac arrest survivor, you've saved a life with CPR, or you have a story about your CPR or ReSPECT decision, we'd love to hear from you.

Donations graphic

Donate

Help us change and save lives across the four nations by donating to RCUK.

Publications and Resources
A still of the Bengali CPR animation

CPR language resources

Our language fliers and animation videos demonstrate how to do CPR in a range of languages.

Young girl with oxygen mask smiling and giving a 'thumbs up'

Publications

RCUK publications which provide information on CPR, AEDS, and decision-making.

Carer holding hands of patient

ReSPECT resources

Documents to support understanding of and use of the ReSPECT process, including easy-read guides.

Hide newsletter form?
Off

News

Red ECG on white background

Tick_stroke Resuscitation Council UK presented recommendations to improve the response of the healthcare system for future pandemics in Module 3 of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry

Statements

Four images of the ResusReady case studies

Tick_stroke RCUK calls for businesses and individuals to become ResusReady

To mark Restart a Heart Month, Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK) has today launched a powerful new CPR awareness campaign, ResusReady, to help save more lives from a cardiac arrest, particularly where inequalities in resuscitation exist.

Press release

Two men and a woman smiling and holding a placard with a QR code and the text "Scan it. Learn it. Save a life."

Tick_stroke Resuscitation Council UK and Scottish Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health team up to help cardiac arrest survivors

Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK) has teamed up with the Scottish Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health to help cardiac arrest survivors and their families make the best possible recovery. 

Press release