CPR4 Schools

CPR 4 Schools is a national education programme provided free to post-primary schools by the Irish Heart Foundation. Its purpose is to ensure that young people receive clear, practical instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and basic emergency response. The programme uses a train-the-trainer model, where selected teachers complete a short workshop and then deliver CPR training to students during the school year.

The student sessions focus on recognising cardiac arrest, performing effective chest compressions, using an automated external defibrillator (AED) where available, and responding to choking. Students are also introduced to the difference between heart attack and cardiac arrest and the signs of stroke.

The aim is straightforward: to increase the number of people in Ireland who can deliver CPR immediately in an emergency. Many cardiac arrests happen outside hospital settings, so having students trained before they leave school improves the chances of early intervention in the community.