When someone suffers a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), every second counts. Immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can double or even triple the chances of survival. By manually pumping the chest, CPR keeps blood, and with it, oxygen, flowing to the brain and vital organs until further help arrives.

But here’s the key question: is CPR alone enough to bring someone back?

Every year on 29 September, millions of people around the globe mark World Heart Day - a campaign led by the World Heart Federation to raise awareness of cardiovascular diseases, the world’s leading cause of death.

For us at Imperative Training, it’s more than just a date on the calendar. It’s a reminder that the skills you learn in a First Aid course could one day mean the difference between life and death.

Driving theory tests in the UK will include questions on CPR and First Aid from 2026.

The plans have been introduced by the DVSA in partnership with Resuscitation Council UK in an attempt to boost cardiac arrest survival rates. First Aid knowledge and techniques are already a part of driving tests across much of Europe

At Imperative Training, we know better than most that first aid saves lives - but only if the person delivering it knows what to do, and feels confident doing it. That’s why regularly refreshing your first aid training is just as important as getting certified in the first place.

But how often should you actually refresh your first aid skills?