Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage Pushes CPR Lessons in Schools to Save Lives
Gosport’s very own MP, Caroline Dinenage, is calling on all secondary schools in the area to teach students CPR. This comes after the British Heart Foundation (BHF) revealed that people untrained in CPR are nearly three times less likely to step in during emergencies.
Urgent Push for Life-Saving Skills in Schools
On Monday 16 October – Restart a Heart Day – Caroline met with the British Heart Foundation, St John Ambulance, and the British Red Cross. They discussed making first aid a key part of the PSHE curriculum, ensuring young people leave school ready to save a life.
Shockingly, there are over 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK every year. Only one in ten survive, as bystander CPR rates remain dangerously low. The BHF estimates that 10,000 lives could be saved annually if more people knew how to perform CPR.
Every Second Counts: The Life-or-Death Importance of CPR
Each minute without CPR or defibrillation slashes the chance of survival by around 10%. Caroline said:
“It is worrying to hear so many lives are lost because bystander CPR rates in the UK are too low. Every second counts, and CPR really is the difference between life and death.”
“Every young person should have the skills to save a life. That’s why I’m backing making first aid teaching a must-have in the PSHE curriculum.”
Charities Rally Behind the Campaign
Simon Gillespie, Chief Executive of the British Heart Foundation, added:
“We’re thrilled to have Caroline’s support to bring CPR training into secondary schools. Survival rates plummet if no one performs CPR before emergency services arrive.”
“Countries that teach CPR in schools see far better survival rates. Thousands of lives could be saved if more people learned this vital skill.”
“I urge all Gosport schools to apply for the BHF’s free training kits at bhf.org.uk/cpr.”
Mel Fox, Director of Training at St John Ambulance, said:
“First aid education should be a rite of passage for all young people. With great free resources like our Big First Aid Lesson on 3rd November, there’s no excuse not to get involved.”
Joe Mulligan, head of first aid education at The British Red Cross, commented:
“We want young people to be confident and ready to help in emergencies. First aid is a life skill everyone should have.”
“Bringing first aid into schools means a whole generation will be prepared. Our free workshops help young people gain the skills and courage to act.”
Get Involved and Save Lives
For more on how schools can join the life-saving revolution, visit bhf.org.uk/cpr.
