Call for CPR training to be added to school curriculum

A South Down MLA has backed a campaign to put lifesaving CPR skills on the school curriculum in Northern Ireland.

SDLP Colin McGrath said his bill, which would see every secondary school student taught CPR, could save thousands of lives.

The bill would also provide students with automated external defibrillator training.

The second stage of the Education (Curriculum) (CPR and AED) Bill was heard in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Monday (November 8).

“There are many important pieces of legislation passing through the Assembly at the minute – but few of them will have the potential to directly save someone’s life,” said Mr McGrath.

“I am delighted my bill has reached the second stage and that it received the support of my fellow MLAs.

“Every year in the North around 1,400 people suffer a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting and shockingly less than one in ten survive.

“If we equip every young person with these skills then we would greatly increase the number of people in our society who could appropriately intervene if they are present when a cardiac arrest occurs.

“Being present when someone suffers a medical emergency is scary – many people freeze and don’t know what to do and this bill would give people the confidence to act.

“We have seen in a number of high-profile incidents recently how important early intervention is when someone suffers a cardiac arrest. Every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces a person’s chances of survival by up to 10% and survival rates are higher in places where more people are trained to perform CPR and are willing to intervene.

“I feel passionately that this bill would make a real difference to people’s chances of survival in the North. The response to our consultation showed that 94% of people thought CPR training should be compulsory and 98% felt the government had a responsibility to ensure training is provided.

“It only takes a short time to learn how to perform CPR and operate a defibrillator, but for someone who suffers a cardiac arrest it could mean the difference between life and death.”

Several members of the NI Assembly also took part in a CPR training session in Stormont’s parliament buildings on Monday which was hosted by the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

“Thanks to all MLAs and staff that dropped in today to see us and get some CPR training, ” a BHF spokesperson said.

“Less than one in ten people survive an out of hospital cardiac arrest in Northern Ireland.

“With more people trained in CPR, we can improve that survival rate.