PRIMARY school staff have been trained to use lifesaving equipment donated by a charity.
Sads UK, which works to prevent premature sudden cardiac death, has presented Merrylands Primary School, Laindon, with a defibrillator.
The ambulance service trained school staff in using the equipment, which has an electrical shock to restore the heart rhythm if a person goes into cardiac arrest.
Anne Jolly, founder of the West Horndon-based charity, said: “We are pleased Merrylands will benefit from having a defibrillator on the premises.
“Last year, Sads UK patron, Dr Hilary Jones, presented lifesaver awards to staff at two senior schools, who had saved the lives of teenage boys using their school defibrillator.
“This demonstrates how important it is to have this lifesaving equipment on school premises.
“Using CPR alone provides a 5 per cent chance of survival, but early use of the defibrillator as well increases the chance of survival to more than 50 per cent.”
The national charity is running a campaign to get defibrillators in all schools.
To get one for your school, call 01277 811215, email info@sadsuk.org or visit www.sadsuk.org
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here