Background: Despite its importance, public knowledge and preparedness to administer CPR remain inadequate, particularly in rural and resource-constrained regions like Keylong, Himachal Pradesh. The region's geographic isolation, limited healthcare access, and educational disparities emphasize the need to assess community awareness and preparedness for effective emergency response.Materials & Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted from August to October 2024, involving 400 adult residents of Keylong. Data were collected using a pre-validated structured questionnaire distributed through both online and in-person surveys. The questionnaire assessed socio-demographic details, knowledge of CPR's purpose and techniques, preparedness to perform CPR, and perceived barriers. Correct responses were scored, and knowledge levels were categorized as Very Good (>80%), Good (60–79%), Fair (41–59%), and Poor (<40%). Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics in Epi Info V7 software.Results: The study population comprised 52% females and 48% males, with 68% residing in rural areas. Educational levels varied, with 30% holding undergraduate degrees, and only 14% had prior CPR training. While 80% of participants recognized CPR's primary purpose as restoring blood flow and breathing, technical knowledge showed gaps: 49% knew the correct chest compression rate (100–120/min), and 53% were aware of the compression-to-breath ratio (30:2). Awareness of AED functionality (58.5%) and compression depth (45.5%) was also limited. Knowledge scores indicated that 25.5% of participants achieved Very Good scores, 34% Good, 27.5% Fair, and 13% Poor. Key barriers included fear of causing harm (64%) and lack of confidence due to insufficient training (79.5%).Conclusion: While foundational knowledge of CPR among Keylong residents is encouraging, significant gaps in technical skills and confidence persist. These findings underscore the urgent need for community-centered CPR training programs, integration of CPR education into school curriculums, and public awareness campaigns.