Pupils at all 17 secondary schools in South Lanarkshire will receive training in CPR.
Currently, only 10 schools in the county offer the training as part of an initiative in partnership with the British Heart Foundation.
However, on Tuesday, February 19, the council’s education resources committee were given a “firm commitment” that the scheme would be rolled out to all secondary schools.
Conservative councillor Mark McGeever (Hamilton West and Earnock) had asked: “This isn’t a criticism, but is there any reason seven of the 17 schools couldn’t offer training this session?
“I’m looking for a firm commitment that training will be offered in 2019/20.”
South Lanarkshire’s three additional support needs schools are also already engaging with the BHF by delivering either Heartstart training or making use of Call, Push, Rescue training kits.
Following the report, Councillor Margaret Cooper (Avondale and Stonehouse) of the Independent Group suggested: “Would it be a worthwhile extension in future to train pupils in the use of defibrillators? A lot of communities have successfully funded defibrillators.”
Chair of South Lanarkshire Council’s Education Resources Committee, Councillor Katy Loudon, added: “I’m delighted that our pupils will have the opportunity to take part in training which could save lives.
“Figures released by the BHF last year suggest that as many as a third of adults are not likely to perform CPR if they saw someone suffering a cardiac arrest.
“By giving our pupils the chance to learn these skills we are hopeful that this number will fall in the future.
“It also provides an opportunity to develop awareness and skills in young people relating to health and well being in a very practical way, and in a way that might save lives at some point in the future.”
Arrangements will be made by schools to inform their parent councils, along with parents and families, on the planned introduction of the training.
