Only half of UK adults confident they could perform CPR on a loved one

Just half of people (51 per cent) in the UK say they would be able to perform CPR if a loved one had a sudden cardiac arrest in front of them, despite latest data showing that around 80 per cent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen in the home. Someone performing CPR on man who has collapsed.

We commissioned YouGov to survey over 4,000 adults across the UK, which showed a third of people (33 per cent) have never learned CPR.

Of those, almost half (47 per cent) said it was because they didn’t know where to learn, while nearly a quarter (24 per cent) said they didn’t have the confidence to learn.

This Heart Month, we're calling on the nation to learn lifesaving CPR, as you’re most likely to need these skills to save someone you know.

CPR 'could be the most important lesson you ever learn’

Each year in the UK there are more than 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. With early CPR and defibrillation shown to more than double the chances of surviving a cardiac arrest. But, less than one in ten people survive, often because those around them don’t have the skills or confidence to perform CPR.

RevivR – First-of-a-kind CPR app

RevivR is a free, quick and easy tool to improve the nation’s CPR and defibrillation skills. In just 15 minutes, it shows when and how to do CPR to save someone’s life – and all you need to practice is a mobile phone and a cushion. The online tool teaches how to recognise a cardiac arrest, gives feedback on chest compressions and outlines the correct steps of defibrillator use, giving anyone the confidence to step in and help save a life in the event of the ultimate medical emergency.

Image of woman, daughter and husband sitting on a fountain

Sarah Edmonds knows all too well the importance of CPR. The mum-of-one, who lives near Brighton, had a sudden cardiac arrest and collapsed in her then three-year-old daughter’s bedroom in December 2020. She was just 31 at the time.

Find out more about Sarah's story

Every second counts

Our Chief Executive, Dr Charmaine Griffiths, said: “Every second counts when someone has a cardiac arrest, and knowing CPR could be the difference between life and death. A cardiac arrest can happen to anyone at any time - it could be your partner, your mum or dad or your child.

“Our survey shows that too many of us still haven’t learned CPR and wouldn’t have the confidence to step in if the worst should happen. It only takes 15 minutes to learn with RevivR – that’s a coffee break, half time in the football or the time you might spend scrolling through social media. I urge you do it today, as it could be the most important lesson you ever learn.”