Defib Supplies

On Thursday 1 October 2026, thousands of people across the UK will unite for one simple but vital purpose, learning how to save a life.

Restart a Heart Live 2026 returns with an ambitious mission, to build a nation of confident lifesavers by giving as many people as possible the skills to perform CPR and use a defibrillator during a cardiac arrest emergency.

What Is Restart a Heart Live?

Restart a Heart Live is the UK’s largest live‑streamed CPR awareness event, offering free online training to schools, workplaces, community groups and families. While the initiative places a strong emphasis on schools, everyone is welcome to take part.

The event forms part of the wider Restart a Heart campaign, led by the Resuscitation Council UK in partnership with ambulance services nationwide. Its goal is clear, increase survival rates from out‑of‑hospital cardiac arrest by making CPR knowledge accessible to all.

Why This Matters

Every year, tens of thousands of people in the UK suffer an out‑of‑hospital cardiac arrest. Survival depends on immediate action:

• CPR keeps blood flowing to vital organs.
• Defibrillators (AEDs) can deliver a lifesaving shock when needed.
• Every minute without CPR or defibrillation reduces the chance of survival.

Ambulance crews cannot always arrive within those crucial first few minutes,  which is why bystanders matter.

CPR matters. Defibrillators matter. Confidence matters.

2025 Recap

Restart a Heart Live 2025 marked a major milestone in the campaign’s mission to build a nation of lifesavers.

More than 132,000 people across the UK took part, the highest number to date. Over 1,200 schools joined the live training sessions, representing every UK nation and demonstrating the growing commitment to teaching lifesaving skills from an early age.

The 2025 event also saw:

• A surge in participation from businesses and workplaces, reflecting increased interest in staff safety and emergency preparedness.
• Greater involvement from community groups and first responders, helping spread CPR awareness into local neighbourhoods.
• Thousands of families learning together at home, proving that lifesaving education is not limited to formal settings.

The momentum built in 2025 laid the foundation for even bigger ambitions, including the goal of training one million people by 2027.

Building a Nation of Lifesavers

Restart a Heart Live continues to grow year on year, driven by the belief that lifesaving skills should belong to everyone, not just healthcare professionals.

Participants include:

• Primary and secondary schools
• Colleges and universities
• Community groups
• First responder organisations
• Businesses and workplaces
• Families learning together at home

Every participant strengthens the chain of survival. Every trained individual increases the chance that someone will step forward when it matters most.

Why Schools Play a Vital Role

Research shows that people who receive CPR training are far more likely to step in during a real emergency. Teaching children these skills builds confidence that lasts a lifetime.

Many schools already include CPR awareness in their curriculum, but Restart a Heart Live makes it easier than ever to deliver engaging, interactive training at national scale.

Today’s pupils are tomorrow’s lifesavers.

Defibrillators Save Lives Too

CPR buys time but early defibrillation can be the difference between life and death.

Modern automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are designed for anyone to use. They give clear voice prompts and will only deliver a shock if it’s needed.

Having an accessible defibrillator on site and ensuring people know where it is dramatically improves outcomes.

Whether in schools, workplaces, leisure centres or community spaces, every AED installed is another chance to save a life.

How to Get Involved

Taking part in Restart a Heart Live 2026 is completely free.

Schools, businesses, community groups and families can register and join the live sessions on Thursday 1 October 2026. The training is simple, engaging and suitable for all ages and experience levels.

Even if you already know CPR, joining the event helps refresh your skills and build confidence for the moment it truly matters.

Because when someone collapses in cardiac arrest, doing something is always better than doing nothing.

Defib Supplies: Supporting a Nation of Lifesavers

At Defib Supplies, we believe everyone should have access to defibrillators and CPR education.

We’re proud to support initiatives that raise awareness, build confidence and help create safer communities across the UK.

This October, we encourage schools, workplaces and community groups to take part in Restart a Heart Live 2026 and join a growing movement that saves lives every single day.

Together, we can create a nation of lifesavers.

To register your interest, visit Restart a Heart Live and join the UK’s biggest CPR awareness event.