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Unit for Pre-hospital Emergency Care (UPEC)

DARE programme

A national initiative in Singapore since 2014.

Last updated 15 April 2026
Illustration of a group of learners practicing CPR on mannequins, guided by a facilitator, with a medical diagram in the background.

The Dispatcher-Assisted first REsponder (DARE) programme is an initiative fully funded by MOH since April 2014 and implemented by UPEC to strengthen community responsiveness for medical emergencies. DARE is specially designed by UPEC to make learning CPR and using an AED easy. With the sunset of MOH funding for DARE by 31 March 2026, UPEC has been exploring a more sustainable funding model to continue running the DARE programme in the future and allow it to deliver crucial lifesaving skills to more participants. Hence, UPEC is currently working with Duke-NUS to transition the DARE Programme to a donation-based funding model.

About DARE

The core mission of DARE is to strengthen responsiveness to medical emergencies and raise the level of preparedness in the community, empowering anyone to step forward and help save a cardiac arrest victim.

The 45-minute programme is a simplified programme without certification. It comprises training through educational videos and a practical session without technical terminologies. Participants are taught how to respond when they witness a cardiac arrest and are guided through step-by-step instructions. The key messages are:

  • Call 995 and stay on the line (on how to cooperate with the 995 specialist)

  • Push hard and fast (perform simplified CPR (CardioPulmonary Resuscitation))

  • Use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator)

Over 120,000 people, ranging from primary school-age children to elders, have benefitted from the DARE programme, at no cost to participants.

The minimum and maximum class sizes are 20 and 80 pax, respectively, per training session. For organisations that are keen on the programme, our DARE team can work with their staff in charge to confirm the training site and requirements. Multiple training sessions can be scheduled in advance based on the availability of staff and the training site (usually a conference room/training room).

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR DARE TRAINING

DARE programme (Supplementary)

Photo of several learners practicing infant CPR on baby mannequins.

Child and Infant CPR

Complementing the DARE programme, participants can also learn how to perform chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth ventilations on children (aged 1-12 years) and infants (under 1 year) in an additional 30 minutes.

Photo of a facilitator reading the DARE storybook to children.

Preschoolers

We believe that education should start early. Through storytelling, young participants (aged 4-6 years) learn the emergency ambulance number (995) and gain a basic understanding of chest compressions and how to use an AED.

Photo of a learner practicing facilitation of the DARE programme under the guidance of a DARE trainer.

Train-the-Trainer

Sustaining the DARE programme in our community is crucial. A Train-the-Trainer (TTT) workshop has been introduced to schools, corporations, and interest groups to train volunteers as DARE adjunct trainers.

Photo of participants attending a training session at a SGSecure roadshow.

MHA's SGSecure Movement

In response to the threat of terrorism, SGSecure advisories are incorporated in the DARE programme during community centre sessions.

Photo of primary school students learning and practicing CPR on a mannequin in a classroom setting.

Primary & Secondary Schools

Collaboration with the Ministry of Education provides hands-on CPR+AED training to Secondary One students, with theory-based knowledge included in Primary Five’s Health Education.

Photo of a DARE facilitator teaching domestic workers.

Migrant Domestic Workers

With support from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), first-time migrant domestic workers will receive a brief CPR+AED introduction as part of their Settling-In Programme to better support Singapore’s ageing population.

Milestones

DARE Achievements

2014

  • Started DARE programme in primary and secondary schools

2015

  • Expanded DARE to 6 constituencies (i.e. Bedok, Bt. Panjang, Choa Chu Kang, Pasir Ris West and Radin Mas)

2017

  • CPR+AED education in the Ministry of Education (MOE) primary and secondary schools

  • Train-the-Trainer (TTT) to the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) Officers for Community Emergency Preparedness Programme (CEPP)

  • DARE in the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) Orientation Programme for year one students.

  • Higher demand for DARE with the 'Safe-A-Life' initiative

2018

  • Collaboration with Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and SCDF for DARE+ (inc. SGSecure contents)

  • DARE National Publicity Campaign.

  • Introduction to DARE storytelling to Preschools

2019

  • Collaboration with MHA's SGSecure office (i.e. SGSecure Roadshows)

2021

  • Introduction to virtual DARE and TTT (COVID-19)

2023

  • Introduction to the enhanced DARE (inclusion of Child+Infant CPR)

  • Collaboration with the National Library Board (NLB) for regular DARE sessions

  • Collaboration with Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in the Migrant Domestic Workers' Settling-In Programme (SIP)

2024

  • Trained over 112,000 individuals and still counting

Resources

Coming Soon

Having questions regarding CPR+AED or the DARE programme?
Our Frequently Asked Questions may have the answer you need.