04 March 2020

Resuscitation Council UK is monitoring closely COVID-19’s impact in the UK.

We are aware of the concerns regarding risk of transmission of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), but wish to emphasise the crucial importance of doing CPR for the person in cardiac arrest.

In the UK, almost 200 people a day will suffer a cardiac arrest out of hospital. When someone has a cardiac arrest, they are not breathing normally and their heart has stopped. With no treatment, this person will die, usually within a few minutes. Early CPR and defibrillation give them their best chance of survival.

Resuscitation Council UK is continuously monitoring new information as it becomes available, and will update our advice accordingly as developments unfold. We fully support good hand hygiene and other preventive measures as per guidance from the government.

If you are performing CPR in a healthcare setting, please read our statement entitled Resuscitation Council UK Statement on COVID-19 in relation to CPR and resuscitation in healthcare settings
If you are performing CPR in a public setting, please read our statement entitled Resuscitation Council UK Statement on COVID-19 in relation to CPR and resuscitation in first aid and community settings
If you are seeking specific advice on paediatric and child CPR, please read our statement entitled Resuscitation Council UK Statement on COVID-19 in relation to CPR and resuscitation in Paediatrics
If you are teaching resuscitation or first aid techniques to healthcare professionals or members of the public, please read our statement entitled Resuscitation Council UK Statement on COVID-19 in relation to CPR and resuscitation for those teaching resuscitation techniques

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