Research points to improved CPR knowledge and increased confidence to deliver vital skill in participating schools

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Essex & Herts Air Ambulance has delivered its innovative CPR Smart™ programme, which offers free CPR and defibrillator training to schools, in 120 schools across Essex and Hertfordshire and plans to increase this further in the coming months.

The programme takes CPR training one step further by empowering teachers and sixth form students to become CPR Smart Champions, who then train the wider school community. With over 1,000 champions trained, the actual numbers who have learnt CPR skills promises to be significantly higher.

The team is presenting research into the effectiveness of the CPR programme at the European Resuscitation Council’s flagship Congress this week, which brings together clinicians, researchers, educators, and healthcare leaders from around the world to share the latest evidence, best practice, and innovation in resuscitation, to help improve patient outcomes and save more lives.

The research showed an increase in CPR knowledge and increased confidence both in performing and teaching CPR amongst participating schools1. Each year, around 40,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the UK, with survival rates below 10%. Every minute without CPR reduces the chance of survival by a further 10% making early intervention critical. Evidence shows bystander CPR can double or triple survival2.

However, despite the government mandating CPR education, implementation remains inconsistent in UK schools due to a lack of resources for training teachers or for training equipment. As part of its commitment to improving pre-hospital care, Essex & Herts Air Ambulance aims to equip all schools across Essex and Hertfordshire to be able to train children in vital CPR skills every year

So far this year bystanders have given CPR in an impressive 75% of the cardiac arrests the air ambulance charity has attended but the team want this to be even higher.

Adam Carr, Critical Care Paramedic and EHAAT’s CPR Smart™ programme lead, said:

“Early CPR can make the difference between life and death. If we can embed CPR skills early, we can arm future generations with the ability to be potential lifesavers. Our research shows the model works. We want to see it rolled out further – in all our local schools and beyond. With CPR Smart, we have the potential to create a ripple effect of life-saving knowledge in schools and communities right across the country”.

A teacher at Notley High School & Sixth Form, said: “I was shocked by the statistics Adam (Carr) shared and knew our school could make a difference. Through the CPR Smart Programme, we’ve trained the next generation to save lives. Watching our student CPR Smart Champions grow in confidence and leadership has been incredible. This programme empowers young people with a life-saving skill—one that could help a loved one, a friend, or even a stranger.”