Education Minister has launched a new app to build
children and young people's confidence in developing
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External
Defibrillator (AED) lifesaving skills.
The app complements the Community of Lifesavers Education
Programme in schools which provides professional learning to
teach vital CPR and AED skills to pupils together with supporting
resources and training equipment. The app includes survivors'
stories, interactive quizzes, enhancement of CPR/AED skills and a
skills refresh function.
Launching the app at Methodist College, the Minister said: “CPR
and AED are critical and potentially lifesaving skills. We know
that providing CPR and AED training using the app and within the
school curriculum can have a clear and measurable impact on
survival rates.
“The app is free, interactive and easily accessible and aims to
build children and young people's confidence in developing vital
CPR and AED lifesaving skills.”
The app was funded by the Department of Education and developed
by CCEA in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance
service.
The Minister continued: “I encourage all schools and their young
people to download and make use of this free app. We know that
survival rates are higher when people learn the skills and are
better prepared to perform CPR and use defibrillators.”
Speaking on the launch of the Community of Lifesavers App, Gerry
Campbell, Chief Executive of CCEA, said: “We're delighted to
bring this lifesaving app to young people, families and teachers
across Northern Ireland. CCEA places young people at the heart of
its work, taking their needs and behaviours into account when
designing and delivering new initiatives.
“This app provides opportunities through a digital platform to
reinforce knowledge and skills already learnt in schools at Key
Stage 3, enabling students to access this information at any
time, in a format that suits them. We hope that the Community of
Lifesavers app helps many young people and their families to
learn these vital skills now and in the future.”
The Community of Lifesavers App is free to download at the App
store and Google Play stores for young people, parents/carers and
teachers.
