KINGSBRIDGE and Dartmouth students were some of the 100,000 expected to be trained in CPR on Restart a Heart Day.

The Resuscitation Council, along with the British Heart Foundation, the British Red Cross and St Johns Ambulance, were training the nation in CPR on Restart a Heart Day, Tuesday, October 18, and planning to train 100,000 pupils in the UK, one million across Europe, and break a world record for doing so.

Pupils from Dartmouth Academy and Kingsbridge Community College were given sessions by Dr Carl Gwinnutt, president of the Resuscitation Council, as well as members of the Kingsbridge Estuary Rotary Club and Kingsbridge Police.

Carl talked the students through ‘DRS ABC’ - D - check for danger, R - check if the patient is responsive, S - shout for help, A - check and open the airway by lifting the chin up and putting the head back, B - check to see if the patient is breathing and C - call 999 and start CPR.

He then taught them how to perform CPR, before they split into pairs to practice their new skills on mannequins. PC Richard Loxton, PCSO Paul O’Dwyer, Steve Kerr from KERC and Leigh Rickards from Laerdal - the company that supplies the mannequins, were all there to help.

Pupils’ previous experience of CPR training was mixed, with some students having learnt first aid skills at clubs such as brownies, scouts and St John Ambulance, while others were learning these skills for the first time. At the end of the session, Dr Gwinnutt showed the pupils how to use an AED or defibrillator, showing them that the machine itself tells you what to do, can detect for itself if a shock needs to be given and talks you through CPR, ‘but you’ll know how to do that anyway now’, he said.

At the end of the session, most students said they would be comfortable helping a person in an emergency, and would be comfortable using an AED.

Dr Carl Gwinnutt said: ‘Today is a great opportunity for students to take part and contribute to the national target of teaching CPR to 100,000 young people. It is really encouraging that Kingsbridge Community College and Dartmouth Academy are involved.

‘I couldn't have done this today without the help of South Devon College, Kingsbridge Police and Kingsbridge Estuary Rotary Club.’

PSCO Paul O’Dwyer said: ‘We’re really glad to be part of such an important event. It is always good to know when we arrive at a scene that basic first aid has been given. I’d encourage anyone to learn more about first aid - one day it could save someone’s life.’

All together, 164 pupils and four teachers from KCC and Dartmouth Academy were trained in CPR and using a defibrillator on Tuesday.

There is a video of Dr Gwinnutt using an AED on a mannequin on our website: www.kingsbridge-today.co.uk or find it on our Facebook and Twitter feeds.

Remember to find out where your local AED is on our map: tinyurl.com/southhamsdefibs or use the QR Code on the back of our papers.