23 May 2026·10:00 AM
Learn Life-Saving Skills with CPR Training
Understand when to use each skill and why both are equally important.
Aabhi ShaiContinence Nurse Specialist
On This Page
Anyone Can Learn CPR
One of the most powerful things about CPR is that it can be learned by almost anyone. You do not need a medical background, specialist equipment, or exceptional physical strength. With the right training, a calm and determined bystander can maintain blood circulation in a cardiac arrest victim for long enough to give emergency responders a fighting chance.
Understanding Cardiac Arrest
Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart's electrical system malfunctions, causing the heart to stop beating effectively. It is different from a heart attack, which is a circulation problem caused by a blockage. Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone — regardless of age or fitness level — and without immediate CPR, the chance of survival decreases by approximately ten percent with every minute that passes.
Important distinction:
A heart attack may lead to cardiac arrest, but not all cardiac arrests are caused by heart attacks. Always treat an unresponsive, non-breathing person as a cardiac arrest emergency.
Step-by-Step: Learning CPR
A comprehensive CPR course will guide you through the following sequence with both instruction and hands-on practice:
The sequence:
- Confirm the scene is safe before approaching.
- Check for a response by tapping the shoulders and calling out.
- Call emergency services or direct a specific bystander to do so.
- Open the airway: tilt the head back and lift the chin.
- Check for normal breathing for no more than ten seconds.
- Begin chest compressions — 30 at a depth of at least 5 cm.
- Deliver 2 rescue breaths if trained and willing to do so.
- Continue in cycles until an AED arrives, help takes over, or the person recovers.
Hands-Only CPR: Lower Barrier, Still Effective
For those who feel uncomfortable performing rescue breaths, hands-only CPR is a proven alternative for adult cardiac arrest victims. Simply call emergency services and push hard and fast in the centre of the chest without stopping. The American Heart Association and Resuscitation Council UK both endorse hands-only CPR as an effective approach for bystanders without formal training.
CPR for Children and Infants
CPR techniques differ for younger casualties. For children aged one to puberty, use one or two hands with compressions to one-third of the chest depth. For infants under one year, use two fingers on the breastbone with gentle but effective compressions. Courses cover these differences comprehensively, ensuring you feel confident working with casualties of any age.
The Role of the AED
An Automated External Defibrillator analyses the heart's rhythm and delivers a controlled electric shock when needed to restore a normal heartbeat. AEDs are now widely available in public spaces including shopping centres, airports, sports facilities, and workplaces.
AED training covers:
- How to quickly locate an AED using emergency apps and location databases.
- How to attach the electrode pads correctly to the casualty's bare chest.
- Ensuring no one is touching the casualty during shock delivery.
- Resuming CPR immediately after the shock without waiting to see a response.
What to Expect from a CPR Course
A typical CPR training session combines theory with significant hands-on practice time. Courses typically last between four and eight hours for a full certificate, or as little as two hours for a refresher. Many providers offer evening, weekend, and workplace on-site sessions.
Course content includes:
- Classroom instruction or video-based learning covering cardiac arrest recognition.
- Demonstration of correct technique by a qualified instructor.
- Individual manikin practice with instructor feedback.
- Scenario-based exercises simulating real-world responses.
- Written or practical assessment and certification upon completion.