South Dublin school praised after more than 800 students learn CPR

Minister of State for Sport, Jack Chambers, received a lesson in CPR from a group of Dublin secondary school students.

He was given the demonstration during his 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 given a Heroes award from the Irish Heart Foundation this weekend for its continued dedication to the CPR 4 Schools programme which aims to create a generation of young lifesavers able to respond swiftly and effectively in a cardiac emergency.

“It was a great pleasure to participate in the CPR 4 Schools programme at Newpark Comprehensive,” said Minister Chambers. “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.”

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Director of Health Promotion, Information and Training with the Irish Heart Foundation Janis Morrissey said 70 per cent 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.

The vast majority (84 per cent) 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.

Both Ms Morrissey and Newpark Comprehensive Principal Eoin Norton urged more schools to take part. CPR 4 Schools is a free programme for secondary schools. Teachers interested in taking part can register by emailing schools@irishheart.ie. For more information, visit Irish Heart Foundation’s website .

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