CPR in New Zealand: Steps, Guildlines & Training

🫀 CPR in New Zealand: Would You Know What to Do? 

Cardiac arrest can strike anyone, anywhere, anytime — in a park, at work, during sport, or even at home. In New Zealand, over 2,000 people each year experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Quick action from bystanders is often the difference between life and death.

The good news? You don’t need to be a medical expert to save a life. Learning CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) is simple, and with the right training and tools, anyone can step in and help.

⏱ Every Minute Counts

If a person’s heart stops, their brain can begin to die in just 4–6 minutes. Emergency services are fast, but they may not always arrive in time. That’s why bystander CPR is critical — it doubles or even triples the chances of survival.

You don’t need fancy gear — just your hands, a bit of confidence, and knowledge of what to do.

📲 Learn CPR Online: Try the Interactive Jake Scenario

Check out this interactive CPR training simulation, where you’ll be guided through a real-time emergency involving “Jake”:

👉 CPR: Scenario Jake

This award-winning online scenario is a great starting point — whether you're learning CPR for the first time or refreshing your skills.

❤️ Make a Difference

CPR is one of the most impactful skills a New Zealander can learn. You may never know when someone near you will suddenly collapse — a loved one, a co-worker, a stranger beside you at the gym.

Learning CPR isn’t just for compliance.
It’s for your whānau, your workplace, and your community.
Your hands could save a life.

🧠 Hands-On Training is Best

RealMed First Aid courses give you practical, real-life experience that online learning simply can’t match. You’ll learn:

✅ How to recognise when someone is unresponsive and not breathing
✅ Exactly how and where to perform chest compressions
✅ When to add rescue breaths
✅ How to safely and confidently use an AED
✅ What to do until emergency services arrive
✅ How to stay calm under pressure with realistic, scenario-based practice
✅ How to adapt CPR for adults, children, and infants

Our trainers make it real — using scenarios, moulage (fake wounds), and time-critical decisions to build the muscle memory you need in an emergency.

❤️ Make a Difference

By learning CPR, you’re not just ticking a box — you’re becoming someone’s potential lifesaver. Whether you’re a parent, colleague, coach, or passerby, your actions could give someone another chance at life.

📍 We Come to You
RealMed First Aid delivers interactive, group first aid courses across New Zealand. Our hands-on, scenario-based training builds real confidence for real emergencies.