Unlocking a superpower: a masterclass in digital CPR training
The challenge: a critical update for a crucial skill
Challenge
An outdated video resource that failed to engage the target secondary school audience.
Solution
Educational Video Production, integrating VFX, engaging presenters, real-life stories and an original music track.
Achieved
Used in over 40,000 student training sessions across Yorkshire in 185 schools on Restart a Heart Day 2025.
Dynamic has plenty of experience when it comes to digital CPR training, but, in partnership with Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS), we took it to another level. The globally recognised ‘Restart a Heart’ campaign, operated by YAS, is a vital initiative that has successfully provided life-saving CPR training to over 270,000 young people over the last 11 years.
Despite the campaign’s success, the existing training video was out of date and did not appeal to the crucial secondary school age group. It was failing to resonate with a digitally-native audience, risking low engagement and poor retention of these life-saving skills. YAS required an urgent update: a high-quality, professional CPR training video that was accurate, appealing to teenagers, and future-proof for years of use.
THE GOAL:
Inspire confidence in young people to step forward in a critical moment, turning bystanders into life-savers.
Life-saving statistics: the why
The urgency of the campaign is underscored by sobering statistics:
Over 30,000 people suffer a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital every year in the UK.
Less than 1 in 10 (8.6%) survive.
If a defibrillator is used and effective CPR is performed within 3-5 minutes, the chance of survival increases from 6% to 74%.
Achieving the survival rates of countries like Norway (25%) could save an additional 5,000 lives each year.
Dynamic's solution? High-impact, life-saving production; digital CPR training in action
Dynamic took on the project employing our expertise in healthcare and digital learning video production for this truly life-saving cause. Our strategy focused on combining clinical authority with high-end production value and modern aesthetics.
Key production and creative highlights:
Engaging presenters & experts
We secured BBC Sport presenter Sam Harris and real-life Sheffield Paramedic Tristan Metcalfe to anchor the training, providing both charisma and clinical credibility.
Modern aesthetics, true clarity
The video was designed with a dark, modern and attention-grabbing look, using kinetic typography, motion graphics and visual effects to hold student attention.
The crafted story
The instructional content was carefully scripted and storyboarded around the concept of ‘levels in a game’ (e.g., ‘Level one: Check for Danger’) to make the life-saving information immediately familiar and engaging to the target age group.
The critical beat
To aid correct CPR rate, we produced an original music track set to the precise 112 beats per minute (bpm), replacing copyrighted songs or those deemed unsuitable for the age group.
The power of visual FX
We filmed complex green screen shots to composite a real person onto the CPR dummy during compressions. This powerful visual transition showed simulated blood flow to the brain (and importantly, the positive physical effects of the person administering CPR), giving the demonstration a ‘real feel without being scary’ while accurately reinforcing the vital role of compressions.
Inspiring real-life story
The video included the moving, real-life account of survivor Alex Cowes, who was saved at age 15 by teachers who had learned CPR just months before.
The full chain of survival
Unlike the previous video, we added crucial instruction on how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)—the only way to restart a heart—making the resource complete; a true example of digital CPR training, capable of being delivered at scale.
Behind the scenes: from studio floor to life-saving film
Filmed in a single day at our in-house Dynamic studio, this project relied on a sophisticated post-production pipeline to ensure the message and visuals resonated with a high-school demographic. By combining rotoscoping, meticulous colour correction and a modern, bespoke dark style, we moved away from traditional educational aesthetics towards a cinematic look. Watch the visual effects breakdown below to see how these layers of video were composited to transform life-saving guidance into a compelling visual resource.
The impact: building a generation of life-savers
The video was designed to be a highly effective CPR digital training resource and its immediate impact proved its success in engagement, training effectiveness and reach.
Reach and Engagement
Training Volume
Over 40,000 students were taught by YAS volunteers on Restart a Heart Day using this resource.
Official Adoption
The video is the official resource used by YAS volunteers in over 180 schools in 2025.
Wide reach
Used in countless group training sessions in schools and organisations not officially signed up for Restart a Heart Day – passing on lifesaving skills to an uncountable number of people.
Public Accessibility
The video is widely available and suitable for the general public and all ages to take the training, extending its life-saving impact beyond the campaign event.
Social media campaign success: amplifying reach and driving traffic
Dynamic provided YAS with an extensive social media campaign strategy implemented across four major platforms: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
Key production and creative highlights:
Timed saturation
We executed a burst of content—spanning the period before, during, and after the event. The specific strategy was to heavily post in the days leading up to the event to saturate search results. This ensured that when students, teachers, or the general public searched for “Restart a Heart Day” content, the new YAS training video consistently appeared in suggested content and top organic results.
Content variety
To suit different platforms (e.g., stories vs. feed posts), content was produced in multiple formats, including both 16:9 and 9:16 aspect ratios with captions, tagging, mentions, collaborations and scripted content suited to the individual platform. This required rapid editing and agile production, including quick edits created on the day of the event itself.
On-site filming
Dynamic attended a Restart a Heart Day school training session to capture immediate, authentic content and behind-the-scenes footage (BTS) of the video being used. This generated timely, high-engagement material that further drove social momentum.
Integrated strategy, proven impact
Dynamic now uses this as a prime example of how our expertise extends beyond video creation to delivering integrated digital content strategies that generate real, highly-engaged, organic traffic for major public service campaigns. A key factor in the campaign’s success was the integration of high-profile personalities, which generated significant organic traction through tagging and sharing.
Celebrity endorsements
The campaign actively featured and tagged celebrities and influencers, including stars from Leeds Rhinos, Sky Sports presenters, former Coronation Street and Emmerdale star Sally Ann Matthews and national go-karting champion Logan McAlister.
Community engagement
This strategic use of influence, combined with encouraging paramedics, survivors and Dynamic’s own team members to personally share the video within their networks, created an authentic grassroots visibility boost.
One resource. One day.
Over 41,000 students trained.
Limitless impact.
Testimonials and client feedback
At Dynamic, we believe that video has the power to drive genuine, measurable impact—whether the goal is to save lives, transform learning, or generate highly-engaged organic traffic. We are experts in translating complex requirements into powerful, effective learning, ideal for outstanding digital CPR training.
The exceptional quality and impact of the video were immediately recognised by the client and the people who rely on it. We thank them for taking the time to provide us with such glowing feedback.
Your support will undoubtedly help save lives...
“I just want to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU. The quality of the video is outstanding, and it’s evident that a lot of hard work and expertise went into its creation. I’m delighted with the end result! We are most definitely excited to share this resource with the world. The behind-the-scenes effort that goes into creating a video is an unbelievably complex and intricate process and we are incredibly grateful for your time and expertise.
Thank you once again to Dynamic for your invaluable contribution to such an important campaign. Your support will undoubtedly help save lives and educate many on the vital skills needed in this emergency situation. Your collaboration has been a pleasure, and we are grateful for the opportunity to work together.”
“It became apparent in the early discussions with Dynamic, the campaign meant something... it resonated with them. They understood the brief and were fully bought into what we were trying to achieve.”
“We are really grateful to Dynamic Business Solutions for developing this fantastic video which shows just how straightforward it is to step in and make the difference in these situations where every second counts.”
“This looks great, what an incredible edit on such an important topic.”
“...it’s an excellent video, very happy with the final result. Big well done to everyone involved!”
“… I've been with you on the Restart a Heart visits for a long while now...and I really like this. Think the presenter appears youth (and adult friendly) - like the tone. Instructive and clear.”
“I love how the dummy changed to a real person while doing the demonstration. Gave it a real feel without being scary.”
Ready to discuss your project?
Do you have a mission-critical educational video production requirement? Contact us today to discuss how we can create a high-impact solution that delivers measurable results for your organisation.
FEATURED WORK
Our healthcare expertise
Our vast healthcare experience covers much more than basic life support elearning. Having worked with over 140 NHS Trusts and healthcare brands alike, our digital training materials have covered a huge range of topics including ECG, infection prevention and control, pain management, teamwork and communication. Why not see for yourself?
