Teaching CPR in Schools
As we start the new autumn term we may thinking about what our children will learn this year. Last year I attended the Advance Life Support Instructors’ Day which is organised by the Resuscitation Council. During the day a presentation was made showing how beneficial it can be to teach our children how to do CPR. It can be shown that when a national programme is put in place that survival rates improve radically. The reasons for this are multi-faceted. Not only do we create a society where the community knows how to perform CPR but it also serves to raise the general awareness. Some children access this training through youth groups but some never get the opportunity.
I love teaching children. They are used to taking in information and learn quickly, they’re also very quick to engage with the manikins. I always hope as well that they will go home and share what they’ve learnt with their families.
During the Advance Life Support Instructors’ Day we were asked as instructors to help get CPR and other Emergency Life Skills taught in schools. The Resuscitation Council and The British Heart Foundation are still campaigning to get these skills part of the National Curriculum. Sadly the government have yet to make it policy.
As parents, governors, teachers or anyone who has regular contact with schools we can make this happen. I will provide not-for-profit sessions for not-for-profit organisations and I’m not alone. The British Heart Foundation will also support schools to teach these important skills.
The government have committed to help schools purchase low cost Automated Defibrillators so I hope that along with that will be a commitment to teach our children Emergency Life Skills and create a generation that have these skills.
If you’re interested in arranging for the children in your school or youth group to be taught please contact me or join the British Heart Foundation in their campaign.
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