The Rescue2 guide to CPR, what you can do and why it matters

Every minute counts when someone goes into cardiac arrest. Early CPR and defibrillation can double or triple their chances of survival. Whether you’re a member of the public, a site manager, or a professional responder, knowing what to do could save a life.

Why CPR Matters

According to the British Heart Foundation, there are around 30,000 out of hospital cardiac arrests in the UK each year, and fewer than 1 in 10 people survive. Most happen at home or in the workplace, often witnessed by someone who could make a difference if they act quickly.

A cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood around the body. The person will collapse, lose consciousness and stop breathing normally. Without immediate CPR, the brain begins to suffer irreversible damage within minutes.

CPR, or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, keeps oxygenated blood flowing until professional medical help or a defibrillator can restore a normal rhythm. For companies, communities, and trained responders, it is the single most valuable emergency skill to master.

If You Find Someone Unresponsive and Not Breathing

Here’s what the Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK) and NHS recommend for adult CPR in 2025.

1. Check for danger and responsiveness

  1. Make sure the area is safe. Gently shake the person’s shoulders and shout, “Are you alright?”
  2. If they do not respond, call for help immediately.

2. Check for normal breathing

  1. Open the airway by tilting the head back and lifting the chin.
  2. Look, listen, and feel for breathing for no more than 10 seconds.
  3. If they are not breathing normally, they are in cardiac arrest.

3. Call 999

  1. If you have someone with you, ask them to call 999 and bring the nearest Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
  2. If you are alone, call 999 yourself and put the phone on speaker so the operator can guide you.

4. Start chest compressions

  1. Kneel beside the casualty.
  2. Place the heel of one hand in the centre of the chest and the other hand on top.
  3. Interlock your fingers and keep your arms straight.
  4. Push hard and fast, pressing down 5–6 cm at a rate of 100–120 compressions per minute (about two per second).
  5. Let the chest fully rise between compressions.

If you are not comfortable giving rescue breaths, do hands only CPR. Continuous compressions keep oxygen circulating through the body and are far more effective than doing nothing.

5. Give rescue breaths (if trained and confident)

After 30 compressions:

  1. Open the airway again.
  2. Pinch the nose closed and make a seal over their mouth.
  3. Blow steadily for one second, watching the chest rise.
  4. Give two breaths, then continue compressions.
    Repeat the cycle of 30 compressions and 2 breaths until help arrives or the person begins to breathe normally.

6. Use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) if available

  1. AEDs are designed to be safe and straightforward. Turn it on and follow the voice instructions.
  2. Attach the pads as shown in the diagrams. The AED will analyse the heart rhythm and tell you when to deliver a shock.
  3. Continue CPR until emergency medical services arrive.

Why Immediate Response Is Critical

Every minute without CPR reduces survival chances by around 10 per cent. Fast action by bystanders, at home, on the roadside, or on site, bridges the gap between collapse and professional care.

For employers, this is part of a duty of care. The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations1981 require workplaces to have trained first aiders and suitable equipment to respond effectively to medical emergencies. CPR training is central to that preparedness.

CPR for Babies and Children

CPR technique differs for younger casualties:

  • Babies (under 1 year): Use two fingers in the centre of the chest, pressing down about 4 cm.
  • Children (1 year – puberty): Use one hand for compressions, about 5 cm deep.
  • Give 5 rescue breaths before starting compressions if trained to do so.

If you are unsure, follow the emergency operator’s guidance over the phone and continue until help arrives.

The British Red Cross and Resuscitation Council UK both offer free videos demonstrating these techniques.

Apps and Tools That Can Help in an Emergency

British Red Cross First Aid App

Provides visual guides, quizzes and offline resources for common first aid scenarios, including CPR and choking.

Citizen AID

Developed in collaboration with counter terrorism specialists, this app provides guidance on what to do in serious public incidents and major trauma situations.

Good SAM Alerter

Connects those in need of urgent help with trained responders nearby. It also highlights publicly accessible defibrillators (PADs).

Life 360

A family safety app that shares your location with trusted contacts, helpful in alerting emergency services if you are unable to speak.

What3Words & OS Locate

Both provide exact location data for emergency calls. What3Words divides the world into 3 metre squares, while OS Locate gives six figure grid references, invaluable for remote or industrial sites.

Why Regular Training Matters

Knowing CPR is one thing; performing it under pressure is another. Rescue 2 delivers regulated First Aid, FREC 3, and Emergency Response Training across the UK, ensuring teams are confident and competent in real world conditions.
Our instructors are experienced emergency service professionals who bring hands on knowledge from live incidents.

We design programmes for:

  • Corporate workplaces needing compliant first aid coverage
  • High risk industries where time critical response saves lives
  • Individuals who want to be ready to help family, colleagues, or the public

Regular refresher training helps maintain skill levels and keeps teams current with evolving national standards.

Frequently Asked Questions About Step by Step Guide to CPR: What to Do and Why It Matters

Do I need to be trained to do CPR?

No. If someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, start hands only CPR immediately. The 999 operator will guide you.

How do I find the nearest defibrillator?

Ask the 999 operator or use an app such as Good SAM or What3Words. Many community centres, supermarkets and stations now have AEDs.

How often should CPR training be refreshed?

The Resuscitation Council UK recommends refreshers at least every 12 months to maintain confidence and accuracy.

Can I hurt someone by doing CPR?

It’s possible to cause minor injuries, such as cracked ribs, but these are far less serious than not acting. Without CPR, cardiac arrest is almost always fatal.

Ready To Learn Lifesaving Skills?

Whether you manage a team, work in a high risk environment, or simply want to be ready to help, Rescue 2’s accredited courses will give you the knowledge and confidence to respond effectively.

📞 Call 01903 871 105
 📧 info@rescue2.co.uk

Rescue2 Ltd – Safe Places, Safe People.