Students and teachers around the country who participated in the ‘CPR 4 Schools programme’ for 2021-2022 were recognised by the Irish Heart Foundation with the presentation of 56 awards across 39 schools for going that extra mile in promoting CPR.
The Irish Heart Foundation’s ‘CPR 4 Schools’ programme recognises the efforts of schools, students and teachers in promoting CPR awareness. Along with the Special Recognition Award, given to those schools that have trained their students in CPR, the Irish Heart Foundation introduced the new ‘CPR Heroes Award’ last year to recognise individual students and teachers for promoting CPR awareness.
The vast majority (84%) of second-level schools across Ireland have received training in lifesaving skills, including courses on how to perform CPR, how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED) and what to do when someone is choking.
Janis Morrissey, IHF’s Director of Health Promotion, Information and Training, said that schools are ideal places to educate young people in CPR in a bid to reduce the incidences of death from cardiac arrest, as statistics reveal up to 70% of cardiac arrests take place in the home.
“CPR is a lifesaving skill that everyone can learn, and this programme is available to every post-primary school in Ireland, equipping young people with the skills and confidence to perform CPR,” she said, noting that the Heart Foundation would like to train more post-primary schools. She also encouraged more teachers to attend upcoming free training courses.
