RCUK encourages more businesses to become ResusReady

ResusReady is a free initiative that requires a few simple steps to join. Organisations must have offered staff access to basic CPR training within the last 12 months or made them aware of CPR training resources, such as first aid training or Resuscitation Council UK’s (RCUK) Lifesaver and e-Lifesaver. Individuals must have completed CPR training within the last 12 months.

RCUK revealed that since the campaign launched in October, over 1,000 individuals and organisations have registered to become ResusReady, helping to improve survival chances for everyone.

In a renewed effort to address resuscitation disparities and increase cardiac arrest survival rates across the UK, the charity is calling on more sign-ups, to ensure this critical support reaches underserved communities across the home nations, where access to life-saving skills is most needed.

There are more than 100,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests every year in the UK, and of those treated by ambulance personnel – more than 34,000 - fewer than one in 10 people survive, yet bystander CPR is performed less often in deprived communities. Early CPR and defibrillation can double the chance of survival.

By signing up businesses and individuals will be given the opportunity to appear on an interactive heat map, allowing RCUK to identify where the gaps in CPR training and defibrillator awareness still exist.

James Cant, CEO at RCUK, said: “By becoming ResusReady, you’re helping create a safer environment for your company, community, and family. Registration takes just a couple of minutes and a few simple steps. We’re inviting individuals and organisations across the UK to join this lifesaving initiative, making sure everyone is ready to respond when it matters most. Together, we can make a real difference and be prepared to step in when someone needs help.”

To help get businesses and individuals ResusReady, RCUK created an inspiring short film which features stories from Brentford FC, Meridian FC, and a cardiac arrest survivor, Neil Davidson.

Once registered on the RCUK website, businesses and individuals can proudly display the ResusReady badge to signal their readiness to act in an emergency, and receive a certificate in recognition of their commitment to help save lives.

Sign up today, commit to CPR training, and help light up the ResusReady map - showing your community that you’re ready to save lives. https://www.resus.org.uk/resusready

Wed, 04/12/2024

Notes to editors

For more information or to request for an interview or case studies please call the Resuscitation Council UK Press Office on 0207 388 4678 or email stella.hindle@resus.org.uk / tom.shearsmith@resus.org.uk / communications@resus.org.uk

1.   Resuscitation Council UK is saving lives by developing guidelines, inﬂuencing policy, delivering courses and supporting cutting-edge research. Through education, training and research, we’re working towards the day when everyone in the country has the skills they need to save a life.
2.   There are more than 100,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests every year in the UK - RCUK Every second counts: Tackling inequalities in resuscitation report.
3.   Bystander CPR is performed less often in deprived communities. Bystander CPR can double the chance of survival from an Out of hospital cardiac arrest - RCUK Every second counts: Tackling inequalities in resuscitation report.
4.   Every second counts: Tackling inequalities in resuscitation report - RCUK commissioned a survey to understand the views and expectations of people from certain ethnic minority groups in England around learning and performing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).

Fieldwork was conducted in February 2023, in areas with high levels of cardiac arrest in London, North East, North West, West Midland and Yorkshire and Humber.
The ethnic groups surveyed included people from Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, African, and Caribbean backgrounds. The survey tool was designed to enable comparisons between this study and the wider population data.
The research had two main stages: -
- Qualitative stage which was completed in November 2022 and involved 14 focus groups eliciting both breadth and depth of responses covering the main research objectives.
- Quantitative stage which was conducted in February 2023. This comprised a paperless survey conducted face-to-face of 509 respondents aged 18+ to gain a greater understanding of population level knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions.