Cardiac arrest survivor calls for more CPR training

A West Sussex student who survived a cardiac arrest while in class has backed a campaign calling for more monitoring of CPR training at schools.

More than a third (38%) of students said they left school without receiving CPR training, according to research commissioned by charity Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK).

Goring resident Sam Mangoro, who had a cardiac arrest at school in 2014, said he found the results "shocking".

The Department for Education (DfE) said: "Nothing is more important than the safety of our children, which is why schools are required to teach first aid as part of the curriculum, and we have provided a defibrillator to every school in England."

Mr Mangoro, who is now 27, received CPR during the PE lesson and was shocked by a defibrillator four times.

He said the current lack of CPR training was disappointing.

"I just don't understand the justification for not doing it to be honest, it's so easy to arrange," he said.

"If you attempt it then you can only improve the situation."

In 2019, policies were introduced to ensure CPR was taught in secondary schools, but RCUK said there was no structured way to keep track of training.

"Without proper monitoring and support, too many students are leaving school without learning how to save a life," a charity spokesperson said.

Research by RCUK, which said early CPR could double the chances of survival from a cardiac arrest, also found that 70% of those trained felt confident to use it in an emergency.

The government's statutory Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) guidance is under review and the DfE said it would carefully consider consultation responses.

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