Get Everyone ResusReady

Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. It is estimated that over 30,000 people each year suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the United Kingdom. Shockingly, less than one in ten survive. The key difference between life and death in many of these cases lies in whether someone nearby acts quickly to begin CPR before professional help arrives. Each passing minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces the chance of survival by 10%. Yet, with immediate CPR and early defibrillation, survival rates can double or even triple.

The burden of cardiac arrest extends far beyond statistics, affecting families, workplaces, and entire communities. Despite the widespread availability of information, many people still feel unprepared or unconfident to intervene when witnessing a cardiac arrest. This hesitation can cost lives. That is why Resuscitation Day serves not only as a reminder but as a call to action: everyone, regardless of background or profession, should learn the essential skills to save a life.

Every year on 16th October, the world marks Resuscitation Day, a vital opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and the need for every individual to be equipped with life-saving resuscitation skills. This day, aligned with the World Restart a Heart campaign, shines a light on the devastating global burden of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) and the urgent need for public readiness in emergencies.

In line with this global call, the team at Walk347 proudly joins the British Heart Foundation (BHF) in championing the campaign to get everyone ResusReady. We recognise that CPR awareness and training are critical public health responsibilities. By empowering individuals with the confidence and skills to respond to cardiac emergencies, lives can be saved before professional help arrives.

To lead by example, members have  subscribed to the BHF’s RevivR-CPR online training program a simple, accessible, and free digital tool that teaches life-saving CPR in just 15 minutes. Through this initiative, members are not only enhancing their own readiness but are also encouraging the wider public to join them in becoming ResusReady. The RevivR program eliminates barriers such as time, cost, and access, making CPR training available to everyone, everywhere, at any time.

We believe that every life matters and that saving lives begins with knowledge and preparedness. By joining forces with the British Heart Foundation and supporting Resuscitation Day, the association underscores the power of community action in tackling one of the leading causes of sudden death worldwide.

On this Resuscitation Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to a nation where every bystander becomes a potential lifesaver. Together, through awareness, education, and readiness, we can transform the outcomes of cardiac arrest and ensure that no life is lost simply because help was too far away or too afraid to act.

#ResusReady #RestartAHeart #Walk347 #BritishHeartFoundation

Obinna Anuruegbe
RCUK Instructor