Call for all schools to teach first aid and CPR

are so far behind. Yes we are putting more defibrillators in buildings but that frankly does not go far enough – we need people trained in how to use them.

“In countries such as Denmark you can’t get a driving licence without having undertaken emergency life support training.”

There have been a number of cardiac deaths among school- age children in recent years.

In 2013, Jamie Skinner collapsed and died while playing football for Edinburgh’s Tynecastle FC.

It later emerged two workers at Saughton Sports Complex in the capital were sacked after they failed to use a defibrillator machine kept at the leisure complex.

Jam ie ’s distraught family later called for defibrillators to be put in schools throughout the capital, and pupils trained in how to use them.

A spokesman for the British He a r t Fo u n d a t i o n said: “Learning the basics of CPR takes only a few minutes and gives you the best chance to save the life of a loved one or friend.

“We want to see CPR as an integral part of the school curriculum, the Curriculum for Excellence provides an ideal opportunity for this.

“We firmly believe bringing life- saving CPR skills to every Scottish secondary school will mean fewer families will experience the devastation of losing a loved one.”

Western Isles councillor Angus Morrison said: “This is good news for communities across the Western Isles and I am delighted it has been agreed to proceed with this programme of life- saving equipment and training.”