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	A national school in Co Galway has become the first in the country to be recognised for providing life-saving skills to all pupils.</p>
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	Children at Gaelscoil na bhFil&iacute; in Gort have been given CPR training, so they can act as first responders in the event of a cardiac emergency.</p>
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	The 38 pupils at the Gaelscoil have spent the year learning vital techniques.</p>
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	The efforts of teachers and their students have been recognised by the Irish Heart Foundation&#39;s Heartsafe award.</p>
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	It has been described as an acknowledgement of the work they have put in and the skills they have learned.</p>
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	As well as learning how to administer CPR, pupils have been coached on operating defibrillators, contacting emergency services and assisting adults who need guidance in giving CPR.</p>
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	The course, provided by a local community response group also encouraged all participants to learn the Eircode for their home address.</p>
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	PJ Brennan from the Athenry Community First Responder group said the system was an important tool in ensuring paramedics could get to the precise location of a cardiac incident.</p>
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	Sarah Cain from the Irish Heart Foundation said courses, such as the one undertaken by the pupils, were proven to increase the chance of somebody in need getting urgent assistance.</p>
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	(Published by RTE.ie on the 21st June 2017)</p>
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	<a href="https://www.rte.ie/news/connacht/2017/0621/884566-galway-school-cpr/">https://www.rte.ie/news/connacht/2017/0621/884566-galway-school-cpr/</a></p>
