Our Primary 7 pupils have commenced their training on the Heartstart Programme under the guidance of Mr McCarthy.  The Heartstart UK Schools Programme is an initiative coordinated by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to teach members of the public what to do in a life-threatening emergency. It focuses on emergency life support (ELS) skills that can help to keep someone alive until professional help arrives.

The Heartstart UK Schools Programme delivers ELS training for pupils so they learn when and how to act in a life-threatening emergency. The programme allows maximum time for practice and hands-on learning using resuscitation training mannequins.

Pupils learn to:

• demonstrate safe approach and assessment
• make a 999/112 call
• open an airway
• check for breathing
• demonstrate the recovery position
• perform rescue breathing
• check for signs of circulation
• perform one-rescuer, adult, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
• demonstrate the management of choking for adults, infants and children
• know how to manage someone with a suspected heart attack
• know how to deal with serious bleeding.

The programme is delivered in a series of sessions tailored to reflect the recommended age at which children can learn specific ELS skills.  Year 7 look forward to successfully completing the programme.