First for Balla as Secondary School Named Mayo’s First “Croí Friendly” School

The school’s 34 transition year students are the first Mayo students to have been trained by the Croí Centre for Lifesaving Training in basic Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and are additionally certified as Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Responders.

A defibrillator has also been purchased for the school, funded with monies raised by the TY students, the Parents Association & South West Mayo Development Co. Ltd and 8 members of staff trained in its use.

"The school has benefited greatly from their participation in this project because there is now a Defibrillator on site and students and staff who are fully trained to use this equipment,” said Teresa Walsh, Transition Year Co-ordinator.

The students and staff were trained as part of Croí’s new school’s initiative which focuses on emphasising the importance of teaching the basics of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) to school-going students.

According to Catherine Sheridan, Co-ordinator Croí Centre for Lifesaving Training, the lifesaving skills learned by the students and staff of Balla Secondary School could someday save a person’s life.

“In our schools programmes we teach students and staff what to do if they witness someone collapse or whose heart has suddenly stopped beating. We also teach how to respond if someone is choking. These basic skills which everyone should know could one day save a person’s life,” said Catherine.

As part of its new school’s initiative, the Croí Centre for Lifesaving Training is offering training from first years onwards and training sessions are timetabled within the school timetable to suit the needs and requirements of the individual schools.

For further information on the programme please contact Catherine Sheridan R.G.N. / R.C.N Co-Ordinator, Croí Centre for Lifesaving Training on 091-480816 or email catherine@croi.ie.

PHOTO SHOWS : Transition year students at Balla Secondary School with their Principal Ms Mary Reaney.