The Irish Heart Foundation CPR 4 Schools programme is training the next generation of lifesavers around Ireland.

Last Friday (21^st April), the Irish Heart Foundation’s CPR 4 Schools team was joined by Miss Ireland, Ivanna McMahon in CBS James’s Street in Dublin for a CPR training session with year students.

Ivanna, who is from Co. Clare shared her experience of being a doctor with the students, and  helped to deliver the CPR 4 Schools programme, which trains post-primary school students all over Ireland in the life-saving skill of CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).

Speaking after the training day, Ivanna said,

“I was honoured to take part in the Irish Heart Foundation’s CPR 4 Schools training day in CBS James Street. This is a completely free programme that educates students all around the country in the life-saving skill of CPR. I believe CPR is a skill everyone should learn. It could literally save a life.”During the training session, students became equipped with the new skill of CPR, including learning how to recognise a cardiac arrest, perform chest compressions, use an AED, and how to recognise a stroke. Through the interactive training, students practiced their skills on manikins, viewed videos, and answered a series of questions.”

70% of cardiac arrests occur in the home, so it is vital that as many people as possible around the country feel confident that they could perform CPR in an emergency.

“I got to see firsthand how the training day provided not only an educational, but also an enjoyable and interactive day for the students. I would like to say a massive well done and thank you to the school, teachers and students who took the important step in starting CPR 4 Schools in CBS James Street and for their warm welcome on the day, and of course, thank you to the Irish Heart Foundation. Currently, 86% of the secondary schools in Ireland are part of CPR 4 Schools… Hopefully, we can raise this figure to 100% in the future!” Ivanna added.

CPR 4 Schools is a free Irish Heart Foundation programme, available to secondary schools across the country. The course uses a Train-the-Trainer approach, so that students and staff can continue to teach high-quality CPR to others in the school, with the support of the tools and resources provided by the Irish Heart Foundation.

Katherine Scott, said: “The Irish Heart Foundation hope to train up the next generation of lifesavers through the programme, and we encourage secondary schools around Ireland to take the time to learn CPR.”

In taking part in the CPR 4 Schools programme, teachers attend a free online workshop, before receiving access to everything they need to run the programme, including videos and lesson plans. Each participating school also receives its own free manikin kit, so they can continue to train the school community throughout the year.

If you are a secondary school teacher interested in introducing the CPR 4 Schools programme into your school, email schools@irishheart.ie with your name, school name, and school roll number.