Super junior Minister at the Department of Transport Jack Chambers, received a lesson in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from a group of award-winning secondary school students over the weekend.
Minister Chambers was given the demonstration during a visit to Newpark Comprehensive School in Blackrock, which has taught the life-saving skill to 15 teachers and all 864 of its students.
The school was presented with a heroes award from the Irish Heart Foundation for its continued dedication to the CPR 4 Schools programme.
It delivers the lifesaving skill of CPR annually to its students through the science curriculum.
The programme aims to create a generation of young lifesavers who can respond swiftly and effectively in a cardiac emergency.
“It was a great pleasure to participate in the CPR 4 Schools programme at Newpark Comprehensive today,” said Minister Chambers.
“As a Government, we want to see as many young people as possible participate in sport to reap the health and wellbeing benefits, and to do so in a safe environment.
“This programme ensures more young people will be equipped with the skills to perform CPR, should it ever be required.
“I want to congratulate all the students and teachers involved in this life-saving initiative. Everyone involved in this programme should be extremely proud of these achievements which contribute towards a safer and healthier sporting environment.”
The vast majority (84%) of second-level schools across Ireland have received training in life-saving skills, including how to perform CPR, how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED) and what to do when someone is choking.
Janis Morrisey, Director of Health Promotion, Information and Training with the Irish Heart Foundation, said 70% of cardiac arrests take place in the home – and schools are ideal places to educate young people in CPR to reduce the incidences of death from cardiac arrest.
“CPR is a lifesaving skill that everyone can learn, and this programme is available to every post-primary school in Ireland, equipping young people with the skills and confidence to perform CPR,” she said.
“We would like to train more post-primary schools and are encouraging teachers to attend our upcoming free training courses.”