Abstract: AIM: To analyze the influence of basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation performed by patients’ relatives on the successful rescue rate of patients with sudden cardiac death. METHODS: One hundred and twenty seven patients treated from May 2006 to December 2007 in three medical facilities in Beijing were included and divided into the following groups: group A—basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation performed by patients’ relatives, and group B—no basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation performed by patients’ relatives. The successful rescue rate was compared between groups and a questionnaire was completed by 414 patients’ relatives on their knowledge and performance of basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation. RESULTS: Of the 127 patients, 27(21.3%) were found to have had basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation performed by their relatives and 100(78.7%) were found to have had no basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation performed by their relatives. The successful rescue rate of patients with sudden cardiac death was significantly higher in group A compared with that in group B（22% vs. 7%, P<0.01). The influential factors for such a difference included basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation performed by patients’ relatives, the start time of basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the performance skills. CONCLUSION: Timely and proper basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation performed by patients’ relatives increases the successful rescue rate of patients with sudden cardiac death. Awareness and training of basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills for patients’ relatives may make a difference on outcome.