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CPR and defibrillators: how to save a life 

Cardiac arrests can happen to anyone. Use our resources to learn how to do lifesaving CPR and how to use a defibrillator in an emergency.

Learn how to do CPR

Read a step-by-step guide to CPR

Learn how to do CPR quickly using these simple instructions.

Free interactive CPR training

Learn CPR at home in 15 minutes using just a cushion and a mobile phone or tablet.

Learn CPR with your organisation

Use our free tool to learn CPR in your organisation and keep your people safe.

Teach others how to do CPR

Schools: free interactive CPR training

Teach your secondary school students how to do CPR and defibrillation straight from their device.

Free training resources

Access our free training resources for teaching CPR. These can be used in your community or in your organisation.

Defibrillators

Learn about defibrillators

Read about what defibrillators are, how to use them and why they’re so important.

Find a defibrillator near you

Search our national directory to see where your nearest defibrillator is located. 

Apply for a funded defibrillator

Find out if your community group is eligible for a fully-funded defibrillator. Applications close on 28 February.

Register your defibrillator

Registering your defibrillator on The Circuit – the national defibrillator network, is crucial. This ensures that emergency services know where it is and can access it in an emergency.

How CPR and defibrillators work together

When somebody is in cardiac arrest, using CPR and a defibrillator together gives them the best chance of survival.

Illustration of a mobile phone dialling 999

Call 999

If someone is unconscious and not breathing properly, call 999 and ask someone to find a defibrillator.

Bird's eye view illustration of a person doing CPR on someone lying down

Start CPR

Give CPR. If you’re by yourself, don’t leave the person alone to find a defibrillator, emergency services will bring one.

Illustration of two people using a defibrillator and performing CPR on a person who is lying on the ground

Use a defibrillator

Follow the instructions on the defibrillator. This will give an electric shock to the heart. Use alongside CPR until help arrives.