The film sets forth a technique for dealing with cardiac arrest by opening the chest wall and massage. It is primarily intended for anaesthetists and others who may be forced with a case of arrest in the absence of any surgeon used to thoracotomy. The use of electrical defibrillators is explained, as well as that of drugs. Since, in such an emergency as is described, each has his part to play, the film may appropriately be shown to all theatre personnel (from the ICI catalogue entry). John Beard (presumably) lectures to the camera. A dramatised scene in a waiting room unfolds whereby a man has a heart attack. The lecturer palpates a soft plastic model of the heart. Thereafter the scenes are in the operating theatre.