Restart a Heart Day: Why Every Second Counts
Every October, communities across the UK and around the world come together to mark Restart a Heart Day – a vital campaign dedicated to raising awareness of cardiac arrest and teaching as many people as possible how to perform life-saving CPR.
At Gain First Aid Training, we believe this day is more than a date on the calendar. It’s an urgent reminder that anyone can save a life with the right skills and confidence.
What Is Restart a Heart Day?
Restart a Heart Day takes place every year on 16 October. The initiative is led by organisations such as the Resuscitation Council UK, the British Heart Foundation, St John Ambulance, and UK ambulance services.
Its mission is simple but powerful:
Increase public awareness of cardiac arrest
Teach CPR and defibrillator skills to as many people as possible
Empower bystanders to act quickly and confidently in an emergency
Since its launch in 2013, Restart a Heart has trained millions of people worldwide, spreading a clear message: you don’t need to be a medical professional to save a life.
Why Restarting a Heart Matters
Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time: at work, at school, in the street, or at home.
In the UK, over 30,000 people suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest each year
Fewer than 1 in 10 survive
Immediate CPR can double or triple a person’s chance of survival
These numbers highlight why CPR training is so critical. The moments between calling 999 and the arrival of professional help are crucial. Starting CPR and using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) gives the heart the best chance of beating again.
The Chain of Survival
Survival after a cardiac arrest depends on a simple but powerful sequence of actions known as the Chain of Survival:
Early Recognition & Call for Help – Dial 999 immediately
Early CPR – Start chest compressions to keep blood flowing
Early Defibrillation – Use an AED as soon as possible
Post-Resuscitation Care – Paramedics and hospital care complete the chain
Each link is vital. If any are missed, the chances of survival drop dramatically.
How You Can Get Involved
Restart a Heart Day isn’t just for schools or workplaces. It’s for everyone. Here are a few ways to take part:
✅ Learn CPR: Attend a first aid or BLS course to build confidence
✅ Locate your nearest defibrillator: Knowing where your local AED is can save precious minutes
✅ Spread awareness: Share CPR resources with friends, family, and colleagues
✅ Book a training session: Bring life-saving skills to your workplace, club, or community group
Gain First Aid Training: Empowering Lifesavers
At Gain First Aid Training, we deliver practical, hands-on CPR and AED courses that give you the skills to act in those critical first moments of a cardiac arrest.
Whether you’re a business, school, community group, or individual, we can tailor sessions to suit your needs.
Our training doesn’t just teach the steps of CPR, we focus on building real confidence so you can stay calm and take action when it matters most.
Make October the Month You Learn CPR
Restart a Heart Day is the perfect reminder to get trained. Every second counts in a cardiac emergency, and the difference between life and death could be you.
📅 This October, commit to learning CPR.
📞 Contact Gain First Aid Training
to book a course for your school, workplace, or community group.
Together, we can make sure more people have the skills to restart a heart, and save a life.
