Plymouth students learn life saving skills
Pupils at Montpelier Primary School have been learning a range of life saving skills during national heart month, due to the donation of a defibrillator from a local charity.
Local heart charity, HeartSWell donated a defibrillator to the school following a request by the school’s site manager.
Zak Morgan, Site Manager of Montpelier Primary School said; “I wanted to help our local school community and the number and age range of the people on site at any one time. This was a key reason for wanting a defibrillator on site.”
Students, staff and parents have been trained by Senior Resuscitation Officer from Plymouth NHS Trust; Sarah Dormor, who volunteered to host a training day at the school, which covered; recognizing symptoms, what to do if you cannot wake someone up, to the correct way in which to resuscitate someone and how to use a defibrillator.
During the training a number of children were dressed in red as part of HeartSWell’s Wear It Red campaign to help raise money to support heart patients in the South West.
It is important that not only the staff and parents, but also the children now understand how the defibrillator can benefit the local community should the need to use it ever arise and of it’s importance.
David Wells, Trustee of HeartSWell South West said; “I am delighted that we have been able to donate a defibrillator to Montpelier School and that both staff and students have been trained in using this lifesaving piece of equipment. Having a defibrillator located in the school is essential and with the right training it can be the saving grace in an emergency situation.
“Coincidently, this is not the first time that the paths of HeartSWell and Montpelier School have crossed! Monica Pearce, the founder of HeartSWell was once the Head Teacher at the school!
“The children had such a great day being trained; what a fantastic set of life skills for the students to obtain that will be remembered for the rest of their lives.
The arrival of the defibrillator at Montpelier Primary School allows the school to play their part in HeartSWell’s mission to provide local businesses, sport clubs and schools with defibrillators, with the aim that no matter where you are you will never be far from one should it ever be needed.
The charity has donated around 30 defibrillators in the last six months to businesses including Elfordleigh Golf Club, Fort Stamford Health and Fitness Club, Frank Elford Sports Shop and Murray’s - VW Plymouth.
To be able to continue donating this piece of lifesaving equipment, HeartSWell do rely heavily on fundraising activities and donations from the public. To take part in HeartSWell’s up and coming fundraising days, visit; http://www.heartswell.org.uk/ .
