Charity urges Government to better support schools on CPR training
New research commissioned by the charity Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK) has uncovered worrying gaps in CPR education in UK secondary schools
New research commissioned by the charity Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK) has uncovered worrying gaps in CPR education in UK secondary schools - highlighting that thousands of students are missing out on the opportunity to learn this vital lifesaving skill.
Since 2019, governments and local authorities across the UK introduced policies to ensure CPR is taught in secondary schools, however, the charity and partners have highlighted how there is currently no structured way to track whether this training is being delivered.
Without proper monitoring and support, too many students are leaving school without learning how to save a life.
A cardiac arrest is the ultimate medical emergency, the heart stops beating, and the individual is clinically dead.
Early CPR can double the chances of survival - making it essential that as many people as possible, including young people, have the confidence to act in an emergency.
New research commissioned by RCUK reveals that an astounding 91% of parents believe the government should do more to support schools in delivering CPR training. However...
- Almost 4 in 10 students (38%) say they haven't received CPR training at school
- Over 70% of those students trained in CPR say they would feel confident to act in an emergency, highlighting the critical need for CPR education in schools.
To improve CPR training rates in schools, RCUK and partners are asking governments, local councils and education inspectorates across the UK to work with stakeholders to:
- Embed CPR training within existing school inspection and improvement frameworks to ensure consistent delivery and help assess and encourage provision where appropriate.
- Facilitate collaboration across devolved nations with local authorities and education providers to sustain progress and share good practice.
- Promote existing guidance and accessible resources to support schools and teachers in delivering CPR training.
Resuscitation Council UK, along with its partners offer free, practical resources to help schools deliver CPR training and are encouraging all schools to take part in Restart a Heart (RSAH), an annual worldwide CPR training event that takes place in October. By linking this initiative to wider monitoring efforts, they aim to widen access to lifesaving skills and improve survival rates.