The campaign to teach life-saving CPR skills to children
Here at South East Coast Ambulance Service, we support the Resuscitation Council UK’s ‘Restart A Heart’ campaign every year.
Volunteers and members of staff use their free time to visit schools, colleges and community groups to teach CPR.
Each year across our region, thousands of people are taught CPR.
We would love your school or college or group to get involved so we can ensure as many people as possible are the equipped with a vitally-important life skills.
How to give hands only CPR.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a simple life-saving technique given to someone in cardiac arrest. It aims to take over the job of the heart and lungs by keeping blood and oxygen flowing through the body.
A cardiac arrest is caused by an electrical problem in the heart which then stops pumping blood around the body and brain.
CPR incorporates chest compressions -(push ‘hard and fast’ in the centre of the chest between the nipples to the beat of ‘Staying Alive’) and rescue breaths. Without CPR, the person will die within minutes.
Most out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen in the home. Learn CPR and one day you might be able to save the life of a loved one. Learn CPR and become a lifesaving hero.
We teach CPR at secondary schools, colleges and other organisations across the South East each year around Restart a Heart week.
We offer the option of virtual learning as well as face-to-face teaching.
Please complete the form below or email restartaheart@secamb.nhs.uk for more information
There are many other ways to learn what to do in the ultimate medical emergency.
Restart a Heart Day is on 16 October, however we are happy to facilitate sessions on other suitable days near this time.
Our dedicated Restart A Heart Team will be in touch to confirm whether we will be able to attend, as we only have a limited number of volunteers. If we are unable to attend, we can provide you with the training materials that can enable you to facilitate the session yourself.
Our training is aimed at school and college students, but we’re happy to work with any community group or organisation that has young people wanting to learn life-saving skills.
Sessions last approximately one hour, but can be shorter or longer depending on group size, engagement etc.
Yes, SECAmb will provide the equipment and manikins needed on the day. However, manikins are subject to availability, and we might have to substitute with pillows, teddy bears etc.
No, our Restart A Heart training is provided free of charge by SECAmb staff and volunteers, thanks to our partnership with the Resuscitation Council UK.
How to recognise a cardiac arrest, hands-only CPR, CPR with rescue breaths if appropriate, when and how to call 999, basic AED awareness.
Yes, every participant receives a certificate to take home and share with family and friends. Following the session, we will provide you with a digital blank version of the certificate for you to fill out and distribute to the children.
Absolutely – teachers, support staff, and parents are encouraged to participate alongside students to reinforce the skill across your whole community.
Simply complete our booking form available on the webpage or email restartaheart@secamb.nhs.uk with your preferred dates and headcount.
All sessions are led by SECAmb staff or trained volunteer responders who follow the latest Resuscitation Council UK guidelines.