Public Resource

CPR information
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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.

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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
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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!

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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?

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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
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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. 

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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
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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.

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CPR Decisions and DNACPR

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

More information
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FAQs

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

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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.

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Donate

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

Publications and Resources
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CPR language resources

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

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Publications

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

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ReSPECT resources

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

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News

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Tick_stroke New guidance available for carers of children and young people with a ReSPECT plan transitioning care to adult services

The pathophysiology of children means that in illness they are generally at higher risk of a primary respiratory arrest than adults. Therefore, for some patients it may be very appropriate to intervene with respiratory-based resuscitation without proceeding to cardiac compressions if the heart eventually stops – hence a recommendation for ‘modified CPR’ that may emphasise respiratory-focused interventions.

News

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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

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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