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British Heart Foundation to offer free CPR training for schools

Schools are being urged to sign up for a free training programme that aims to save up to 5,000 lives every year.

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) is calling on schools to join the largest CPR-training event of its kind, in an effort to reduce the number of lives that are lost following a cardiac arrest.

Schools will be provided with a training kit that includes a 30-minute DVD and a sample lesson plan, omitting the need for a trained instructor, so students can feel comfortable in administering first aid.

Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart stops pumping blood around the body, and CPR is required immediately. The longer it is delayed, the worse the outcome – for every minute lost, a victim’s chance of survival drops by 10 per cent.

Sara Askew, head of survival at the BHF, said: “Teaching children lifesaving CPR skills is the best way we can hope to improve cardiac arrest survival rates across the UK. Currently there are 30,000 out of hospital cardiac arrests each year and less that one in 10 people survive.”

The event takes place on 18 October. To register your secondary school and receive a free CPR training kit, click here.

Picture: Pupils learn how to save lives with CPR

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