While awareness has improved, the data around cardiac arrest continues to highlight a significant public health challenge – and a clear opportunity to do more.

The Scale of the Challenge

Each year in the UK, there are over 30,000–35,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.

Fewer than 1 in 10 people survive
Around 80% occur in the home
Survival rates can drop by up to 10% for every minute without intervention

Despite advances in awareness and training, these figures have remained relatively consistent, underlining the need for more effective early response.

Progress in Awareness – But Limited Impact on Survival

There have been measurable improvements in public response:

Bystander CPR rates have increased to ~60-70% in some regions
CPR training is now mandatory in UK secondary schools
Digital tools and campaigns have trained hundreds of thousands more people

However, survival rates have not improved at the same pace.

This disconnect points to a critical missing factor: early defibrillator use.

Defibrillators: High Impact, Low Usage

Defibrillators (AEDs) are one of the most effective interventions in cardiac arrest.

When used within 3-5 minutes, survival rates can increase to as high as 50-70%
Yet, AEDs are used in only ~10% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests before emergency services arrive

This gap between potential and actual usage is now one of the most significant barriers to improving outcomes.

Access Is Growing – but Still Uneven

There are now over 100,000 defibrillators registered across the UK, supported by networks such as the National Defibrillator Network.

However:

Not all devices are accessible 24/7
Some are not registered, meaning emergency services cannot direct people to them
Coverage varies significantly by location, with both rural areas and dense urban communities experiencing gaps

As a result, many cardiac arrests still occur beyond immediate reach of a defibrillator.

A Changing Focus in 2026

The national conversation is shifting.

Where the emphasis was once on awareness alone, the focus is now on:

Increasing real-world access to AEDs
Improving visibility and registration of devices
Building confidence in using defibrillators in an emergency

This reflects a move toward practical, outcome-driven improvements rather than awareness alone.

The Role of Property and Community Infrastructure

Given that the majority of cardiac arrests occur in residential or everyday settings, buildings and managed environments are increasingly important.

Property professionals, landlords and businesses can contribute by:

Installing publicly accessible defibrillators
Ensuring devices are maintained, visible and registered
Supporting wider community awareness initiatives

These measures can directly influence response times and, ultimately, survival outcomes.

Looking Ahead

The data is clear: while awareness has improved, survival rates will only increase through faster, more effective intervention – particularly through the use of defibrillators.

Bridging the gap between availability and usage remains one of the most important challenges in cardiac arrest response today.

At Redpath Bruce, we continue to support organisations working to address this – helping to raise awareness, improve access and contribute to safer, more resilient communities.