Restart A Heart Day

Restart A Heart Day History

Restart A Heart Day aims at educating the public on the importance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED) in emergency situations. The objective of this observance is to improve survival rates from out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, which currently stand at 10% in the United Kingdom. By encouraging widespread training and understanding of these life-saving practices, Restart A Heart Day promotes a collective effort to ensure that more lives can be saved in the future.

This important campaign was launched in Europe in 2013 by the European Resuscitation Council (ERC). In the United Kingdom, the event is led by the Resuscitation Council UK in collaboration with the British Heart Foundation, St John's Ambulance, British Red Cross, and a number of other organizations. The campaign targets schools in particular, with the British Heart Foundation offering free training kits to secondary schools across the UK. This coordinated effort guarantees that more people, especially young adults, gain essential life-saving skills and the confidence to act in times of crisis.

On Restart A Heart Day, participating organizations and institutions across the United Kingdom hold various events and activities to create awareness and teach practical skills. These activities include mass CPR training sessions, hands-on workshops, and demonstrations of how to use an AED effectively. Restart A Heart Day is observed annually on the 16th of October, encouraging communities to unite and learn how to save lives together.

Top 10 Facts for Restart A Heart Day in 2026

• For the 2026 observance, the initiative highlights the specific importance of the Restart a Heart Live virtual training event, which provides accessible, interactive CPR and defibrillator awareness sessions for schools and individuals across the UK.
• The 2026 campaign continues the long-standing mission to train one million people across the UK by 2027, focusing on empowering students, families, and workplaces with essential lifesaving skills.
• Led by the Resuscitation Council UK, this annual initiative brings together a coalition of partners—including the British Heart Foundation, St John Ambulance, and the British Red Cross—to increase cardiac arrest survival rates through widespread public training.
• A critical fact for participants is that approximately 80% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the home, making it vital for individuals to learn CPR to protect their own loved ones.
• Every minute without CPR and early defibrillation reduces a person's chance of survival by 10%, highlighting why immediate bystander action is the most important link in the chain of survival.
• Statistics indicate that fewer than one in 10 people in the UK currently survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, a figure the campaign aims to improve by boosting public confidence and training levels.
• Performing immediate CPR can double or even triple a patient's chances of survival, serving as the primary motivation for the global and national awareness efforts during the month.
• The initiative encourages people to become 'ResusReady' by not only learning CPR but also by familiarizing themselves with the location and use of public access defibrillators in their local communities.
• Resources such as the short film Power in Our Hands and various digital training tools are promoted throughout the campaign to help the public gain the skills necessary to act in an emergency.
• While the campaign reaches its peak with dedicated events in October, the ultimate goal is to make CPR and defibrillator training a normal, lifelong skill that empowers citizens to intervene in life-or-death situations at any time.

In the News and Trending for Restart A Heart Day

Restart A Heart Day Top Things to Do

• Hear several stories about the importance of CPR.
• Learn how to safely perform CPR.
• Learn about the interactive training tool Lifesaver. Lifesaver is the Resuscitation Council UK's cutting-edge tool that allows users to learn lifesaving skills using interactive technology like VR.
• Use online resources and videos to learn and practice CPR techniques, and encourage friends and family to do the same.
• Organize fundraising events or charity drives to support research and development of emergency medical services.
• Volunteer with local emergency services to assist with CPR training, awareness campaigns, and community outreach.