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prepared. We need more people to learn these skills, and have confidence in themselves to be able to help in an emergency rather than panicking.
“This is a great opportunity for our children to learn how to save a life – and hopefully they will take the lessons they learn home to their parents and families and neighbours, and everyone in the wider community will benefit.”
SFRS Commander for the City of Glasgow, George McGrandles explains: “These CPR skills are transferable and may be used in an emergency anywhere, anytime.
“In partnership with the BHF, City of Glasgow Education and the Evening Times we are working together for a safer Glasgow and safer Scotland.”
The first batch of pupils to take part quickly overcame any reluctance to try out CPR techniques on the inflatable mannequins.
“I think it’s difficult at first because you are scared you might hurt the person,” says Salman Saad, 11.
His friend, Woleed Rukhsar, also 11, adds: “It’s really important because you can help people.”
James Logan was one of the firefighters helping the pupils learn the basic techniques.
He said the children had responded well to the training session.
“I’ve arrived at incidents where family members have been using CPR to keep a loved one alive, and it is very difficult for all concerned,” he says.
“By removing some of the fear surrounding CPR we can hopefully save more lives.”
Station manager Paul Blackwood, who is running the OHCA Schools initiative in Glasgow said: “By raising awareness, it will help people get over some of the worries they might feel about helping someone who has had a heart attack.
“The truth is, though, that without immediate help, that person will die.
“Doing something is better than doing nothing.”
SFRS have 11 stations in the city who can deliver OHCA training locally at a pre-arranged time.
The training is completely free – to check availability, contact your local community fire station.