New online CPR tool to equip school children with life-saving skills

A new interactive online learning tool has been launched by British Heart Foundation Scotland (BHF Scotland) to equip thousands of schoolchildren with essential life-saving skills.

Classroom RevivR is a tool that teaches life-saving skills to students aged 11 to 16. It meets Scottish curriculum standards and can be taught in one lesson plan.

Young people learn the difference between cardiac arrest and heart attack, how to respond to an unconscious person and make an emergency call, how to use a defibrillator and how to perform CPR safely.

The heart charity has launched the free digital tool to encourage pupils to be prepared in the event of an emergency.

Over 200 schools in Scotland have already signed up to using Classroom RevivR and BHF Scotland hopes the launch of this tool will help save many lives.

David McColgan, head of BHF Scotland, said: “The launch of Classroom RevivR today will set children up with an invaluable lifesaving skill at an early age. A cardiac arrest can affect anyone, at any time, so we want as many people to learn CPR as possible.

“Tragically, more than 3,200 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen every year in Scotland, yet less than one in ten people will survive. We are determined to change this by giving everyone the opportunity to learn CPR. By equipping our young people today with these lifesaving skills, more lives could be saved in the future.”

David added: “There is no need for an external trainer or lots of specialist equipment and Classroom RevivR has been designed with busy teachers in mind. All pupils need is a digital device and something to perform compressions on, like a cushion. And the best part is – it’s completely free to use.

“We are urging all teachers to sign up to our free Classroom RevivR training so that every child leaves school knowing how to save a life.”

The launch took place at Craigmount High School, Edinburgh where biology and pupil support teacher Rikki Breach took a second year class through a live interactive session of Classroom RevivR.

Mr Breach was previously responsible for teaching CPR to pupils including teenager Brodie Hatfield.

Brodie was able to deliver life-saving CPR when his dad Rob suffered a sudden cardiac arrest at home in bed in November 2023. The teen was later named a Heart Hero by the BHF.

Mr Breach said: “Brodie’s actions were a testament to the importance of CPR training and the incredible impact it can have.

“We teach CPR to all year groups in school as part of the curriculum and Classroom RevivR will be a fantastic accompaniment to this.

“It is a really engaging tool which caters for all school year groups and our pupils found it easy to use and understand.”

Colin Meikle, headteacher of Craigmount High School said: “Whilst we hope that CPR skills never have to be used, Brodie’s actions are testament to the impact that teaching CPR can have in everyday circumstances. As a school, we think it’s essential that all pupils are taught CPR and Classroom RevivR makes it easier than ever before for staff to deliver this training.”

Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, said: “I am delighted to support the launch of Classroom RevivR in Scotland, developed by the British Heart Foundation. We know that providing training in CPR and how to use a defibrillator can have a clear and measurable impact on survival rates.

“The actions of lifesavers like Brodie demonstrate how important it is to equip our children and young people with these vital skills, and I encourage all schools and teachers to sign up to using Classroom RevivR with their pupils.”