Yorkshire Ambulance Service is calling on secondary schools across the region to sign up for free CPR training on Restart a Heart Day 2026 in a bid to empower the next generation of life-savers.
Registration is now open for schools who would like to equip their students with vital skills to respond confidently and effectively to cardiac arrest emergencies.
The event will take place on Friday 16 October, and schools can register to take part by completing the form at https://survey.yas.nhs.uk/s/RSAH-School-Registration-2026/ before the closing date on Friday 10 April 2026.
Jason Carlyon, Community Engagement Manager with Yorkshire Ambulance Service, said:
We believe every student should have the chance to learn CPR. We’re delighted to launch registration for our 13th Restart a Heart Day and would encourage all secondary schools to take advantage of this free training. Thanks to our wonderful volunteers who selflessly dedicate their time to delivering these sessions, we can help ensure more young people have the skills needed to save lives.
Since its inception in 2014, Restart a Heart Day has seen Yorkshire Ambulance Service staff and volunteers teach CPR to over 311,432 students during more than 1,397 school visits, contributing an impressive 49,717 volunteer hours to the campaign.
The event is generously supported by the Yorkshire Ambulance Service Charity, which is committed to providing life-saving education for young people. Participating schools will be contacted by the charity with fundraising opportunities to further develop the Restart a Heart campaign.
Every year, more than 30,000 people experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the UK. Current survival rates stand at just 8.6%, less than one in ten. Prompt administration of CPR and the use of a defibrillator significantly increases the chance of survival.
If we achieved the same survival rates of countries like Norway (25%), where CPR is taught more widely in schools, 100 more lives could be saved each week – the equivalent of approximately 5,000 every year.
For further information, please visit the Restart a Heart Day website or email yas.restartaheart@nhs.net.
