4 in 10 children don't know CPR despite it being in Essex school curriculum
Esther Kuku from Resuscitation Council UK says there are "worrying" gaps in school childrens' knowledge and is calling for training to be embedded in Ofsted inspections
Almost four in ten (38%) students are leaving school without learning how to save a life despite CPR being a compulsory part of the curriculum in Essex schools, according to new data from Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK).
The charity are calling for better support and monitoring by working with local authorities and Ofsted to embed CPR training into school inspectins.
Esther Kuku, from Grays, is the Communications Director at RCUK.
She tells Greatest Hits Radio: "There is no system in place to track CPR delivery in schools.
"The reality is teachers across the country are very pressured.
"We need to support them to be able to deliver CPR training and defibrillator awareness in a way that's fun.
"While we're asking for effective monitoring, we want it to be done in a way that it doesn't become an additional burden for teachers."
80% of cardiac arrests happen inside the home, according to RCUK.
That's why it's "even more" important that children are aware of what to do in an emergency, says Mrs Kuku.
"Children are amazing sharers of information. Once children know how to do it, they're going to tell everybody.
"Once you learn it at that young age, it sets the foundation."
While more than a third (38%) of students say they have never received CPR training at school, 70% who were trained say they would feel confident to step in during a medical emergency.
Resuscitation Council UK CEO James Cant says schools can easily access free resources on the RCUK to teach their students.
"This is a policy that already exists, but we want to work with schools, Ofsted, local authorities, and the government to make sure it is implemented properly in the next year".
The Miss World England pageant is setting an example by introducing a new "CPR Queen" challenge, in place of the swimwear round.
The 97-year-old round will be switched up in favour of a more practical and life-saving skills competition.
Contestants will now be judged on their ability to perform chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.