TEENAGER Lucia Horvathova has received an award from her teachers after learning skills that could mean the difference between life and death.
Sixteen-year-old Lucia, who attends Kingsmead School, in Bridge Street, was inspired to take the first aid course after her grandmother suffered her third heart attack.
Lucia learned how to perform hands only CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), how to use a defibrillator and what to do if a baby stopped breathing.
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Her teachers were so impressed with her enthusiasm and passion for learning that they presented her and two fellow students with certificates to mark their efforts.
Lucia said: “My grandma has had three heart attacks so there was even more reason to learn these lifesaving skills, but you never know when you might end up needing them.
“I would like to work in childcare when I leave school so this qualification will be really helpful when it comes to applying for jobs.
“It’s much more useful to learn how to save a life than it is how to do algebra – I’ve enjoyed it and I would feel confident to step in and help if someone needed it.”
The school has invested in an inflatable manikin which can be used to learn CPR with rescue breaths as well as hands-only CPR. It also has a training defibrillator so that students can learn how to use the life-saving piece of kit.
Lucia and her fellow students also learned how to put a person in the recovery position, how to deal with bleeding and shock and what to do in the event of bone, muscle and joint injuries.
The first aid course was part of a Caring for Children Cache course which is being taken at the school, which caters specifically for children with social, emotional and mental health issues.
The class was taught by PE teacher and registered first aider Gary Jackson, who knows the importance of learning such techniques after saving the life of his daughter.
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Gary said: “Luckily I had already been on a first aid course when my daughter Ellie choked on a hula hoop and everyone else was panicking.
“I was able to use the Heimlich manoeuvre along with a combination of patting her on the back with the right amount of force, otherwise, I dread to think what would have happened.
“It was this experience that made me passionate about teaching our pupils these basic, but vital, skills and I am really pleased with how enthusiastic and positive the students were to learn.”
ENDS
For further information please contact Sarah Newton on 07974 502 764 or email sarah@penguinpr.co.uk
