Little life savers get heart smart

It was the fourth year the school has run the British Heart Foundation Heartstart UK school programme, which aims to provide the children with the opportunity to learn emergency life support skills.

Children in all years take part in the event, with youngsters in years five and six completiting the full course.

The full course covers recognising danger and making an emergency call, the concscious casualty, the unconscious casualty, serious bleeding, choking in adults and childre, suspected hear attack and cardiac arrest.

Michelle Thomas, Woodsetts School Heartstart co-ordinator, said: “The feedback from the children, parents & teachers is fantastic.”

“We are frequently approached by the children asking us, Is it Heartstart today? Their enthusiasm and commitment to learn such essential skills is outstanding.”

“The year six students then leave for comprehensive school with this achievement of vital life saving skills.”

“Throughout this year we have delivered with the teachers assistance the same programme again to all classes. This is so important for skill retention. What the children retain is amazing, even the younger ones.”

Michelle runs the course with Kate Birch. Both are parents at the school and nurses, and three years ago they completed the instructors course provided by Pete Winson, one of the BHF community resuscitation development officers.

To celebrate their achievements, children take part in a 999 afternoon and demonstrate to the emergency services the skills they have learnt.

Michelle added: “I’ve been told by parents that unfortunately a couple of children have had to use these skills during the summer holidays and thanks to the knowledge they gained stayed calm and acted appropriately. We only wish that this could be recognised and made a compulsory part of the school curriculum.”