Nearly 1,500 pupils and staff at Perth High School have benefited from a full day of life-saving lessons.
Using resuscitation dummies, the school was taught by emergency care professionals how to restart someone’s heart.
It was part of the national Save a Life for Scotland campaign, which aims to train-up half-a-million people in life-saving CPR.
The event was organised by Perth and Kinross Council’s health, safety and wellbeing team, together with the school’s pupil health ambassadors and principal guidance teacher Gillian Shenton.
Training was carried out by representatives of Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Save-a-Life Scotland, the Scottish Ambulance Service and the council’s safer community wardens.
It gives an indication of how lessons could be carried out at all schools, if the Scottish Government backs our First Aid Kids campaign.
The event was the third of life-saving lesson organised by the school in the past few months. The sessions are aimed at raising awareness amongst learners, while empowering young people to be responsible citizens.
Mrs Shenton said: “The young people really enjoyed the day and particularly appreciated the practical session and the opportunity to try out CPR for themselves.
“They were all very surprised at how much effort was required to maintain CPR compression for a full two minutes.”
She said: “It was a fantastic day and I have no doubt that one day a life will be saved as a result of our efforts.”
Perth and Kinross Council’s Lifelong Learning Convener Caroline Shiers congratulated the school. “What an absolutely tremendous achievement,” she said. “Congratulations to all involved in organising the day and the young people and staff who participated.”
The Conservative councillor added: “CPR is a life skill we all should have and I welcome the efforts to extend training across schools.
“I note that Perth High School are promoting a range of life skills being taught to their young people to encourage citizenship and that is again to be applauded and encouraged.”
As well as CPR, the school hosted a blood donation day which saw 35 senior pupils and staff giving blood.
In December, the school added another 94 names to the Anthony Nolan stem cell register.
A spokeswoman said: “At Perth High School, we consider health and wellbeing, and giving back to society, a top priority and are very proud of the enthusiasm and commitment our school community shows at these events.”
