Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK) published an updated edition of its baby and child CPR book, Aaron's Heart, on 4 August 2026. The council said the new edition reflects "important changes introduced in the 2025 Resuscitation Guidelines"1.
The book gives step-by-step guidance on CPR for babies aged 0 to 12 months and children aged 1 to 18 years, and is written for parents and caregivers1. The latest edition carries two changes to how a person should respond when a baby or child is found unresponsive or in cardiac arrest. The first encourages people to call 999 immediately if a baby or child is unresponsive, before checking for breathing; once connected, emergency call handlers can guide them through the next steps and provide support while an assessment is carried out. The second is a change to infant CPR technique, with the guidelines now recommending the two-thumb encircling method for chest compressions instead of the traditional two-finger approach1.
RCUK said cardiac arrest in babies and children is uncommon, but can occur after incidents such as drowning and choking, or as a result of serious illnesses including sepsis and asthma. Alongside the CPR guidance, the book covers recognising signs of serious illness, knowing when to seek urgent help, and reducing the risk of accidents and injuries1.
Adam Benson Clarke, Clinical Director at Resuscitation Council UK, said:
"No parent expects to face a life-threatening emergency involving their child, but knowing what to do in those first few moments can help save a life, as cardiac arrest is the most time-critical medical emergency."
Copies are on sale from RCUK at the following prices, each plus postage and packaging1:
| Format | Price |
|---|---|
| Single copy | £1.25 |
| Pack of 10 | £7.45 |
| Pack of 25 | £28.13 |
| Pack of 100 | £106.25 |
Why it matters for households
The edition brings household first aid reference material into line with the 2025 guidelines, so families, nurseries and schools holding an earlier copy are working from guidance that has since changed on two points: the order of calling 999 and checking breathing, and the compression method used for infants1. RCUK describes the book as intended for parents and caregivers, and says it aims to give readers the skills and confidence to act when every second counts1. The changes apply to babies aged 0 to 12 months and children aged 1 to 18 years1. The background to the guideline changes is set out in the site's guide to the 2025 Resuscitation Guidelines: what changed for bystanders, and wider household first aid guidance is in the first-aid hub.
What happens next
RCUK gives no further dates. The updated edition is on sale now at the prices above1.
