SCHOOL children in Warrington will have the opportunity learn how to
act in an emergency through a newly launched training programme.
The HeartStart schools programme is a British Heart Foundation (BHF)
initiative which teaches children the simple skills that can save lives.
Pupils in all schools in Warrington will be offered the chance to learn
how to perform CPR (chest compressions and rescue breaths), deal with
choking and serious bleeding, and how to recognise the signs and
symptoms of a heart attack.
All schools in the borough are being offered the chance to participate
in the scheme with the full support of Warrington Borough Council.
The council and HeartStart Wire will provide the training for teachers to become HeartStart instructors.
BHF spokesman Matt Whitticombe said: “Our aim is to provide instructor
training for teachers, who then pass on these vital emergency life
support (ELS) skills to their students. Every year around 124,000 people
in the UK suffer a heart attack, and many of them then suffer a cardiac
arrest and die before reaching hospital.
“It is vital that we all know what to do to help keep someone alive in
an emergency. A bystander, often a relative or friend, with no medical
expertise is likely to be the first person on the scene. Learning the
simple skills that save lives through HeartStart can make all the
difference.”
Cllr Colin Froggatt (pictured), the borough council’s executive member for children
and young people’s services, said: “We’re proud to be supporting the
HeartStart schools programme. This training will help teachers and
pupils in Warrington learn valuable skills that can save lives in an
emergency situation.”
BHF provides schools with training equipment, teaching materials, and
grants for supply cover to allow teachers to attend the instructor
training.”
