Are You ‘ResusReady’? Why Every Driver Should Learn CPR
Published 13 August 2025
Last updated 13 August 2025
In this blog, our friends at the Resuscitation Council UK explain why learning CPR is an important part of safe driving.
Every day, millions of drivers take to the road, focused on getting safely to their destination. But, have you ever considered what you’d do if someone collapsed in front of you—at a petrol station, in a car park, or even at the roadside?
The reality is that 40,000 people in the UK experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest every year, and survival rates remain shockingly low. Less than one in ten survives— but early recognition, CPR and defibrillation can significantly improve their chance of survival.
When every second counts, being ResusReady could mean the difference between life and death.
Could you save a life? Learn the steps to CPR
Many people hesitate in an emergency because they do not know what to do—but performing CPR is simple and can keep someone alive until professional help arrives. If you ever find yourself in this situation, follow these seven essential steps:
1 Check for danger before approaching
Before you go to the person who has collapsed, look around to make sure it’s safe to proceed.
2 Shout for help
Call out loudly for assistance and gently shake the person’s shoulders and check for a response.
3 Look and listen for signs of normal breathing
If they do not respond, watch for the rise and fall of their chest. If they’re not breathing normally, they need immediate help.
4 Call 999
Put your phone on loudspeaker and tell the operator that you are with someone who’s not breathing.
5 Start chest compressions
- Interlock your fingers and place your hands in the centre of their chest
- Push down hard and release twice per second (around 100-120 compressions per minute)
- Do not stop—keep going until emergency help arrives. The operator will guide you through the process.
6 Get a defibrillator (AED) if one is available
- The operator will tell you where the nearest automated external defibrillator (AED) is located
- If someone is with you, ask them to fetch it—but do not stop chest compressions. If you’re by yourself do not leave the casualty.
7 Follow AED instructions and continue CPR
- Switch the AED on and follow its voice commands—it will guide you step by step
- Continue CPR until:
- The AED tells you to pause so it can analyse the heart rhythm or deliver a shock
- Paramedics arrive and take over
- The casualty shows signs of life (such as breathing or movement).
(How to do CPR, a step-by-step guide, Resuscitation Council UK)
Here is a short video demonstration on how to perform CPR
Why should drivers learn CPR?
Drivers are constantly on the move, making them likely to witness a medical emergency. That’s why the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is including CPR training resources in their official source materials and introducing questions into the theory test. This should make sure that more people know how to react in a life-threatening situation. But knowledge alone is not enough—you need to feel confident to act. Remember, you cannot make things any worse, but you could give someone the best chance of survival.
Get ResusReady today
Becoming ‘ResusReady’ takes a few minutes, but the impact lasts a lifetime. Whether you’re a learner driver, an experienced motorist, or simply someone who wants to be prepared, knowing CPR could make all the difference.
Becoming ResusReady means that you have the vital skills to help save a life. Watch our video to find out more.
The next time you get behind the wheel, ask yourself: Are you ResusReady? Because one day, it might not just be about getting to your destination—it could be about saving a life along the way.
Lastly, spread the word—encourage your family and friends to learn CPR too!
Study with the official learning materials
Some of the official DVSA learning guides have already been updated, so you can start learning these life-saving techniques: