The eight NZRC rescuer groups are:

The untrained lay rescuer. This is the basic level of theoretical knowledge which should be possessed by all New Zealanders. The focus at this level is on activating the EMS system (dial 111) and basic CPR.

Trained lay rescuers are those non-health-trained professionals who have attended a course in lay resuscitation. These rescuers should understand breathing and circulatory assessment, have practical skills in manual airway control, perform expired air ventilation and chest compression and understand the differences between paediatric "call fast" and adult "call first" resuscitation.

First responder. Although not health trained professionals, first responders are frequently involved with the initial delivery of resuscitation. In the community, recognised first responders may include police officers, fire fighters, security officers, life guards, airline cabin attendants, mass transit personnel, voluntary first aiders and those assigned to provide first aid in the work place, at large public events, and in the community. These groups should, in addition to the skills of level 2, be capable of using automatic external defibrillators (AEDs), and be able to use simple airway and ventilation aids as well as administer oxygen. The final four levels are for health professionals: For each level, suggested occupational groups are given.

The first health professional level. These rescuers should have a practical working knowledge of AEDs as for level 3 but they may also have practical skills including airway control using a laryngeal mask airway, precordial thump, IV insertion and the preparation of emergency drugs for administration by higher level rescuers. They should have an understanding of the principles of manual defibrillation and advanced airway methods (such as endotracheal intubation) in order that they may assist higher level rescuers with these procedures.

This level would include those who may be exposed to resuscitation events by virtue of their occupation and have received basic health related training. Although these rescuers may be required to initiate cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, they will have higher level support and supervision. This group might include nursing graduates, anaesthesia technicians, radiographers and other hospital and community health trained support staff.

The second health professional level. In addition to level 4 skills this group would have the ability to perform basic ECG interpretation and therefore to deliver manual defibrillation and intravenous adrenaline administration. This level would include those health-trained rescuers who may be asked to manage and supervise resuscitation scenarios where little immediate back up is available from higher level rescuers. This group could include hospital nursing supervisors as well as intermediate ambulance officers.

The third health professional level. These rescuers would have the ability to manage and supervise resuscitation scenarios using the full drug / defibrillation regimens. This may also include endotracheal intubation and the ability to consider and correct a number of conditions that predispose to cardiac arrest. This level might include trained paramedics and those nursing staff working in specialist units where resuscitation, in the absence of immediate medical back up is a common and expected event. Appropriate hospital units would include coronary, cardiothoracic surgical, intensive care, paediatric and neonatal intensive care units.

The medical provider level is the level of expertise expected of doctors who are not specialists in the fields of resuscitation or emergency care. Although it is recognized that most doctors will have less practical resuscitation experience than many level 6 rescuers, they must possess a theoretical and practical abilities in 6 skills, in addition to a more complete understanding of conditions predisposing to cardiac arrest as well as post arrest management.

Advanced medical providers are medical practitioners involved on a permanent basis in the provision of emergency care and resuscitation. This group would include physicians working in the fields of emergency medicine, trauma, anaesthesia and intensive care etc.