Woman saves grandmothers life after RevivR CPR training

Ellie Harries, a social media manager from Salisbury helped to save the life of her grandmother, just days after completing our RevivR CPR training. There are over 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK each year. During this year’s Heart Month, we trained the equivalent of 30,000 people in lifesaving CPR – the equivalent of one person per cardiac arrest.

Thirty-year-old Ellie Harries was visiting her grandmother Ann on a Saturday in April 2024, when she walked in to find her lifeless upstairs. Knowing every second counted, Ellie sprang into action and called 999 whilst starting CPR on her grandmother.

Thankfully, Ann survived but many are not so fortunate. There are around 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests each year in the UK, but only one in 10 people survive. Chances of surviving can more than double with timely CPR and defibrillation.

Ellie’s experience

Ellie said: “I just went into automatic mode. I can’t remember much because of the shock, but I somehow managed to call 999 and pulled her onto the floor to do CPR. I can remember so clearly the relief of hearing her breathe.

“My Granny is the most incredible woman I know, and I am so grateful I was there to help her when she needed it. She is turning 90 in September, but she’s not letting anything slow her down. It’s so encouraging to see her continue to be the active and fast-paced woman I’ve always known her to be.”

Ellie had to perform CPR only two weeks after learning the lifesaving skill using our online tool RevivR. RevivR allows anyone to learn CPR in around 15 minutes using just a mobile phone and a cushion. This free and easy-to-use tool has proved incredibly effective at training people with confidence in the lifesaving skill of CPR, including Ellie.

Training 30,000 people in CPR during Heart Month

Throughout the month of February, which was Heart Month, we trained 30,000 people in CPR – the equivalent of one person for every out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the UK each year.

There are more than 7.6 million people in the UK living with heart or circulatory conditions that can put them at higher risk of having a cardiac arrest. However, some cardiac arrests can happen with no known prior health or heart conditions.  This was the case with Ann who did not have a diagnosed heart condition before her cardiac arrest.

Ellie added: “I can't thank the BHF enough because without having CPR training fresh in my mind, I don't think I would have been able to do what I did. As traumatising as it was, I'm glad that I was there and was the person able to do it.

“Thankfully I was able to revive my Granny despite the odds being so against us. She's doing really well today, and I just couldn't be happier. If you’re thinking about doing CPR training or haven't done it before, please do it – it could save the life of a stranger or someone you love.” 

What the BHF has to say

Lizzie Moscardini, Senior Programme Manager for RevivR at the BHF said: “Ellie’s story is a powerful reminder of why learning CPR is so important, and we’re so pleased that RevivR helped to save Ann’s life.

“During February we have trained one person for every out-of-hospital cardiac arrest that takes place each year in the UK – a huge achievement. Our hope is that the more people who are trained in CPR, the more people will survive a cardiac arrest like Ann.

“We are so grateful to every single person and organisation including our devoted corporate partners who have taken the time to use or encourage others to learn a new lifesaving skill through RevivR. We are building up a nation of lifesavers and this Heart Month has been a wonderful recruitment period!” 

Learn CPR with RevivR here