British Heart Foundation NI launch new life-saving tool for schools in Derry

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

Classroom RevivR is a game-changing tool that makes teaching life-saving skills to students aged 11 to 16 easy and fun. It meets Northern Ireland curriculum standards and can be taught in one easy lesson plan - minimising teachers' workload. 

Working together, young people will 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.

More than 60 schools in Northern Ireland are already successfully using Classroom RevivR and BHF NI hopes the launch of this tool will help save many lives.

BHF NI health lead and cardiac nurse Karen McCammon, said: “The launch of Classroom RevivR today will set young people up with an invaluable life-saving 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, of the 1,400 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests that happen every year in Northern Ireland, 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.” 

Karen 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 students 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 young person leaves school knowing how to save a life.”

The launch took place at St Brigid’s College, Derry where Head of Careers & LLW and History teacher, Joseph Scanlon, alongside his colleague and English teacher Carmel Gallagher, took two Year 9 classes through a live interactive session of Classroom RevivR.

Mr Scanlon said: "We currently teach CPR to our year 9 pupils as part of the statutory requirements through the CCEA Community of Lifesavers programme, however, with Classroom RevivR, our teachers will be equipped to deliver this programme to many more of our pupils as it will serve as a fantastic accompaniment to our curriculum delivery." 

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

He added: “It is so important that young people are equipped with these life-saving skills of CPR and defibrillation and I would encourage other schools in the North West to register for Classroom RevivR and help teach vital life-saving skills in a fun and relaxed environment.”

Education Minister, Paul Givan said: “I am delighted to support the roll-out of Classroom RevivR, developed by the British Heart Foundation to schools across Northern Ireland. We know that providing CPR and training in how to use a defibrillator can have a clear and measurable impact on survival rates. This is a great addition to the life-saving skills which have been mandatory elements of the school curriculum at Key Stage 3 since 2022.”

Classroom RevivR has been supported by Royal Mail in partnership with British Heart Foundation.

Royal Mail and the British Heart Foundation are celebrating a successful two years of their life-saving partnership, which aims to protect heart health and save lives in communities across the UK. Thanks to the incredible efforts of Royal Mail colleagues, the partnership has so far raised £1 million, providing essential support for thousands of people in local communities.

For further information search Classroom RevivR.