A former Royal Marine and Invictus Games athlete has joined forces with a leading charity to boost public confidence in performing CPR, reminding everyone, including those with limb differences, that they can help save lives during cardiac emergencies.
Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK) has partnered with Mark Ormrod MBE and the Amputation Foundation to encourage more people across the UK to learn CPR. The initiative promotes simple steps that anyone can take to support someone experiencing cardiac arrest, not just chest compressions but every crucial action that can sustain life until medical help arrives.
Everyone can be part of the chain of survival
RCUK, Mark Ormrod, and the Amputation Foundation emphasise that even those who cannot perform CPR physically can still play an active role by:
- Calling out for help
- Dialling 999 to alert emergency services
- Guiding others to locate a defibrillator
- Supporting or coordinating CPR efforts
This collaboration launches during Restart a Heart month in October, an annual campaign led by RCUK to raise awareness of CPR and defibrillation. Supported by the British Heart Foundation, St John Ambulance, the British Red Cross, and UK ambulance services, the campaign aims to improve survival rates from out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. Around 30,000 suspected cardiac arrests occur in the UK each year, yet only one in ten people survive when it happens outside a hospital. Early CPR can double those chances, but new research shows that confidence remains low.
Research reveals a confidence gap
A survey commissioned by RCUK found that two in five UK adults (39%) would not know how to perform CPR, and only 35% said they would intervene if they witnessed a cardiac arrest. The findings highlight the need for better training and awareness. However, the survey also offered encouragement: 69% of respondents believe that people with limb differences are capable of helping during cardiac emergencies.
Mark Ormrod MBE said: “It means a lot to me that the majority of people recognise that having a limb difference doesn’t stop you from helping in a cardiac emergency. I, like many people, have faced plenty of challenges in life, but I’ve never let those challenges stop me from stepping up, and I don’t believe anyone else should either. When someone’s in cardiac arrest, it’s not about being a hero or doing everything yourself. It’s about taking action, however you can.”
James Cant, CEO at RCUK, added: “Cardiac arrest is a life-or-death situation, and it’s crucial that more people feel empowered to act. Our research shows a gap in confidence, but the message is clear, learning CPR can make all the difference. It’s also important to remember that CPR is not just about chest compressions. Shouting for help or calling 999 are just as critical. It takes a team effort to save a life, and we want everyone to know they have a role to play, no matter their physical ability.”
Encouraging inclusion in CPR training
Despite the positive shift in attitudes, over half of adults (52%) believe that amputees or people with limb differences need specialist CPR training. In reality, the core CPR steps remain the same for everyone. The 2025 RCUK guidelines promote hands-only CPR for untrained bystanders, recommending compressions of 100 to 120 per minute to a depth of 5 to 6 cm, without mouth-to-mouth ventilation unless the rescuer is trained and willing.
Ste Cruse, founder of the Amputation Foundation, said: “Our mantra is ‘There is Life After Amputation’ and we strive to encourage people to get involved with as many activities as possible, including things that maybe they had never tried pre-amputation. We wanted to support the Restart a Heart campaign as there is no reason why an amputee can’t play a potentially vital role in the chain of survival. We will certainly be promoting the campaign with each of our Support Hubs and encouraging our members to sign up for CPR training.”
Bringing CPR to communities nationwide
Throughout Restart a Heart month, RCUK is encouraging the public to take part in training and awareness efforts by:
- Learning CPR to prepare for emergencies
- Donating to help RCUK expand CPR education across the UK
- Familiarising themselves with defibrillators using RCUK’s updated Automated External Defibrillator (AED) guide, which covers when and how to use them, where to install devices, and why registering with The Circuit is vital.
Lucy Robin, child health community champions lead for ABC Parents, said: “Inclusion is about recognising that everyone, in every community, can be part of the chain of survival. Every action matters, whether that’s calling for help, guiding someone to a defibrillator, or starting CPR. Saving a life should never feel out of reach for anyone.”
Simon Ferris, director at Flat Stan First Aid, added: “This campaign is a vital step toward making the chain of survival truly inclusive. By empowering people with limb differences and disabilities to act in emergencies, it builds confidence, promotes equality, and strengthens community resilience. With a clear long-term vision, it breaks down barriers and reinforces the message that everyone has the power to help save a life.”
A shared commitment to saving lives
Mark Ormrod, who lost limbs after serving in Afghanistan and has become a symbol of resilience through the Invictus Games, adds a powerful personal touch to this campaign. Events marking Restart a Heart Day on 16th October 2025 will include training sessions at hospitals, schools, and community hubs nationwide, aiming to equip more people with the confidence and skills to respond effectively. By challenging misconceptions and promoting inclusivity, this effort seeks to close the CPR confidence gap and ultimately save more lives.
