Dickson Backs Access to CPR Training for All Post-Primary Pupils

East Antrim Alliance MLA, Stewart Dickson, has backed the Department of Education’s announcement that all post-primary pupils will have access to CPR training as part of the school curriculum from 2022/23.

Mr Dickson said: “In Northern Ireland there are approximately 1,400 cardiac arrests a year that take place outside of hospital. Sadly, less than one in ten survive to be discharged from hospital.

“However, the British Heart Foundation have found that a person’s chances of survival after a cardiac arrest can be doubled through CPR”.

CPR ensures that blood continues to be pumped around the body and to the brain when the heart is unable to carry out this job.

Mr Dickson continued: “In many European countries, CPR is widely taught in schools, and survival rates of one in four have been reported. That statistic is in stark contrast to Northern Ireland’s less than one in ten figure.

“By teaching our young people the vital skill of CPR, we are giving the people in Northern Ireland the best possible chance of survival should the worst happen”.