The Critical Need for CPR Training Across the UK and Ireland

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is a vital, life-saving skill that can dramatically improve outcomes for individuals experiencing a cardiac arrest. Despite its critical importance, recent figures highlight a significant knowledge gap across the UK and Ireland, with millions of adults lacking the necessary training to respond effectively in an emergency. This deficiency directly impacts survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs), which remain stubbornly low.

UK Statistics: A Call to Action

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) reported in February 2024 that nearly half of UK adults (43%) have never learned CPR, representing approximately 23 million people. This is a concerning statistic, especially given that around 80% of OHCAs occur in the home, meaning individuals are most likely to perform CPR on a loved one. While almost nine in ten (89%) Brits believe learning CPR is important, only 40% could correctly identify the first step of CPR – ensuring safety and checking for a response.

Further research from St John Ambulance in July 2024 echoed these findings, indicating that only 43% of people in the UK know how to perform CPR for someone in cardiac arrest. This lack of preparedness is particularly alarming considering that immediate CPR can double or even triple the chances of survival from a cardiac arrest. Tragically, less than one in ten people survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the UK.

Regional and Demographic Disparities

  • Northern Ireland Leads: Northern Ireland stands out as the best-trained part of the UK, with 74% of respondents having learned CPR, according to the BHF. However, Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK) data from October 2025 shows bystander CPR rates in Northern Ireland at 41.5% (January-March 2025 data), compared to England at 72.6%, Scotland at 62.6%, and Wales at 64.3%. This highlights potential discrepancies in reporting or the recency of training.
  • Generational Gaps: Gen Z (age 16-26) is the most CPR-trained generation at 67%, surpassing Baby Boomers (51%) and Gen X (52%).
  • Socio-economic and Ethnic Inequalities: Significant inequalities exist, with only 22% of individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds receiving CPR training in the last 10 years, compared to 41% of the general UK population. Additionally, people from lower socio-economic backgrounds are less likely to be trained in CPR and less confident in performing it.

The Regulatory Landscape in the UK and Ireland

Both the UK and Ireland have regulations in place concerning first aid provision, particularly in the workplace, emphasising the importance of trained personnel.

United Kingdom

The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 mandate that employers in Great Britain provide adequate and appropriate first aid equipment, facilities, and personnel to ensure employees receive immediate attention if injured or taken ill at work. The definition of 'adequate and appropriate' depends on a thorough risk assessment of the workplace. While the regulations do not specify a fixed number of first aiders, employers must ensure sufficient trained personnel are available, especially in higher-risk environments.

The Resuscitation Council UK advocates for widespread CPR training, including in schools. Since 2019, policies have been introduced across the UK to ensure CPR is taught in secondary schools, although consistent delivery monitoring is still developing.

Related training: If you are looking to qualify as a trainer in this area, see medication administration trainer courses or explore suicide prevention trainer courses for nationally recognised UK and Ireland qualifications.

Republic of Ireland

In the Republic of Ireland, the legal framework for workplace first aid is outlined in the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007. These regulations require employers to assess workplace risks and implement appropriate first aid measures, including providing first aid equipment and trained occupational first aiders. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has prepared guidelines on First-Aid at Places of Work, which align with the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) First Aid Response (FAR) training standard. The PHECC FAR training is now the recognised standard for occupational first aid in Irish workplaces, replacing the QQI OFA Level 5N1207 over a transitional period.

Initial FAR training is typically a 3-day (18-hour) classroom course, with certification valid for two years. Recertification requires a 2-day (12-hour) course.

The Impact of Bystander Intervention

The importance of bystander CPR cannot be overstated. When CPR is administered within the first few minutes of cardiac arrest, survival rates can be as high as 40%. Every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces the chance of survival by 10%. Despite this, a November 2023 YouGov survey found that fewer than three in 10 people (28%) in the UK feel confident performing CPR in an emergency.

Initiatives like the annual 'Restart a Heart' campaign, led by the BHF and Resuscitation Council UK, aim to increase CPR proficiency. These efforts are crucial in bridging the knowledge and confidence gap that currently exists.

Understanding these statistics and regulatory requirements is essential for improving public health outcomes. Organisations like Abertay Training (https://www.abertaytraining.co.uk) play a vital role in providing accredited first aid and CPR training, equipping individuals and workplaces with the skills to save lives.