Students learn how to save a life

Photographs: KARYN FEINGOLD

AROUND 140 Ripon Grammar School students have learnt how to become lifesavers.

They were among more than 40,000 pupils throughout Yorkshire learning the vital skills which could help double the chances of someone surviving a cardiac arrest on National Restart a Heart Day.

Two paramedics, a first responder and a Mountain Rescue volunteer came into school to give sixth form students training in CPR and using a defibrillator.

“We feel it’s very important that students know how to respond in case of an emergency,” said deputy head of sixth form Lee Lyons.

“These vital skills could just help them save a life one day if they come across someone who has suffered a cardiac arrest.”

Every year in the UK, more than 30,000 people suffer a cardiac arrest outside hospital – an alarming statistic made even more sobering by the fact that 80 per cent of these incidents occur at home.

Tragically, fewer than one in ten survive. These figures highlight the urgent need for wider CPR knowledge, as anyone could find themselves needing to save the life of a friend, family member, or neighbour.

Students also watched a new ten-minute training video, created in partnership with Leeds-based digital learning specialists, Dynamic.

Parents and families are also being urged to watch the video to give them the confidence to step up and act in the ultimate medical emergency.

Yorkshire Paramedic Tristan Metcalfe, who stars in the video alongside BBC Sport’s Sam Harris, said: “CPR is really easy to learn and the impact you can have could literally be the difference between life and death for someone.

“We are really grateful to Dynamic for developing this fantastic video which shows just how straightforward it is to step in and make the difference in these situations where every second counts."

Over the last 12 years, Yorkshire Ambulance Service has provided CPR training to 270,153 students at more than 80 per cent of Yorkshire’s secondary school on Restart a Heart Day, which is supported by the Yorkshire Ambulance Service Charity.

*Yorkshire Ambulance Service invites everyone to learn CPR by watching the new video at https://restartaheart.yas.nhs.uk/get-involved/cpr-training-resources/