WATER-LOVING Ross Hill and Inverell Public School students were given life saving skills in a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) workshop last week.
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Tamworth lifesaver and pool supervisor Cameron McFarlane developed the CPR Awareness program four years ago, and is now taking his knowledge to 54 NSW schools over six weeks, starting with Inverell.
“Inverell was a great success,” Cameron said.
“I'm really really pleased with the first week. I didn't know what to expect. I feel quite confident that most of these kids could save a life if they had to.”
The hour long program targeted year 5 and 6 students, and Cameron said his was a great age group to reach.
With a combination of interactive demonstrations, quizzes and prizes, he said the students “really absorb it”. Cameron explained, and demonstrated CPR protocol on a mannequin, and answered questions before breaking the students up into groups.
The children then followed his example, and tried hands on breathing exercises before demonstrating recovery rolls on their friends.
“I'm not saying they know it word for word, but they've certainly got the gist of what to do if someone needs help,” he said.
“It’s definitely made a difference.”
He was pleased with teachers’ support of the program, and said that many share their own experiences of CPR training with students.
“I’m finding also the teachers are really complimenting on the program, on how good it is,” he said.
Inverell Public students Zach McLeod, Indra Graham, Kyle Cochran, Patrick VanHaren and Joe Little agreed that while swimming was fun, it could be quite scary. “Like when someone swims over the top of you,” Patrick said.
They were all keen to learn from Cameron and thought CPR was a valuable skill.
Cameron expects to return to Inverell Public School and visit some of the smaller schools in the area in August or September.
