London Ambulance Service offers free CPR training in October
Sessions across the capital aim to equip residents with life-saving skills for cardiac emergencies.
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The London Ambulance Service (LAS) is inviting Londoners to attend free hands-on training sessions in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during October 2026. These sessions are designed to provide residents with the confidence and skills needed to act during a medical emergency, particularly a cardiac arrest.
Restart a Heart Campaign
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The training is part of the annual Restart a Heart campaign, an initiative led by Resuscitation Council UK. The campaign's objective is to increase survival rates from out-of-hospital cardiac arrests by teaching more people how to perform CPR, including chest compressions. A cardiac arrest is a critical situation where the heart stops circulating blood and oxygen. Performing CPR and using a defibrillator can significantly improve a person's chances of survival before emergency services arrive.
Abby Stark, a Paramedic and Community Resuscitation Trainer with the LAS, highlighted the urgency of cardiac arrest situations. "Every second counts when someone suffers a cardiac arrest," Stark stated. "The simple skills taught through could help you keep someone alive until paramedics arrive." She added that approximately 76 per cent of cardiac arrests occur within the home, meaning the person requiring assistance could be a family member or friend. "Learning CPR takes just a few minutes, but those minutes could one day help you save a life," Stark said, urging Londoners to participate in the free sessions.
London Lifesavers Programme
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These training events are delivered as part of the London Ambulance Service's London Lifesavers programme. This programme offers free training to various groups, including schools, community organisations, and individual residents across the city, aiming to foster more resilient communities. Funding for the London Lifesavers programme is provided by the London Ambulance Charity.
Upcoming Training Sessions
The LAS London Lifesaver team has scheduled several free sessions across London throughout October 2026. These include:
Sunday 4 October, 10:00-16:00, at St George’s Shopping Centre, St Anns Road, Harrow, HA1 1HS.
Saturday 10 October, 11:00-15:00, at the Richmond Community Resilience Fair, Richmond and Hillcroft Adult Community College, Parkshot, Richmond upon Thames TW9 2RE.
Thursday 15 October, 10:00-15:00, at Kensal Rise Library, Bathurst Gardens, NW10 5EU.
Wednesday 28 October, 11:00-15:00, at the Wandsworth Community Resilience Fair, Griffin Primary School, Stewart’s Road, SW8 4JB.
Friday 30 October, 10:30 -16:30, at the Royal Air Force Museum, Grahame Park Way, NW9 5LL.
Further details on all upcoming events and training opportunities can be found on the London Ambulance Service website. World Heart Day, observed annually on 29 September, is a global event led by the World Heart Federation to raise awareness of cardiovascular diseases and promote heart health.
Questions this report answers
+When and where can I get free CPR training in London?
Free CPR training sessions are available throughout October 2026 at various locations across London, including Harrow, Richmond, Kensal Rise, Wandsworth, and at the Royal Air Force Museum. Specific dates and times for each session are listed on the London Ambulance Service website.
+Why is CPR training important?
CPR training is important because it equips individuals with the skills to respond to a cardiac arrest, which is a life-threatening emergency where the heart stops pumping blood. Performing CPR and using a defibrillator can significantly increase a person's chance of survival before paramedics arrive.
+Who is leading the Restart a Heart campaign?
The Restart a Heart campaign is led by Resuscitation Council UK. The London Ambulance Service participates in this campaign by offering free training sessions to the public as part of its London Lifesavers programme.
+Where do most cardiac arrests happen?
Approximately 76 per cent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur at home. This statistic underscores the importance of equipping more people with CPR skills, as the life saved could be that of a family member, friend, or neighbour.
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