Sixth class pupils across Louth will be given valuable skills which could potentially help them to save lives thanks to an ambitious initiative which is being rolled out by Red Cross volunteer Pat Sheridan.
Pat, a recently retired ambulance paramedic will lead his dedicated team in delivering first class training to sixth class pupils across Louth which will give them important first aid skills including CPR.
The initiative was launched last Tuesday in St Francis NS Blackrock with forty two pupils now possessing the skills to help save a life after they were given training by Dundalk Red Cross members.
Nearly half (46%) of adults in Ireland are extremely or very concerned about knowing how to respond in a medical emergency or how to treat an injury, according to recent independent research. The Irish Red Cross has launched a new pilot programme in schools to train the next generation in vital first aid skills, helping to build resilience and strength in communities.
By the school summer holidays, Pat and the dedicated team of the Irish Red Cross volunteers from the Dundalk branch – Carol Cumiskey, Orla Sheridan, Ryan Hayes and Advanced Paramedics Stephen and Niamh O’Neil – aim to have reached five schools in county Louth and will have trained 130 children in practical first aid techniques while also fostering a humanitarian mindset among young people.
More than 40 pupils attending St. Francis National School had the opportunity to practice emergency response techniques. The workshop was lively with the pupils discussing real-life scenarios and asking relevant, intelligent questions.
The Irish Red Cross schools programme covers essential life-saving skills, including:
• How to call an ambulance
• How to identify when someone needs urgent help
• Basics of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• First aid for a choking person
Pat Sheridan, an Irish Red Cross Dundalk branch volunteer for the past 25 years says, “Our aim is to train the next generation and build their empathy, confidence, and skills so they can help others in times of crisis. Providing young people with first aid knowledge not only prepares them to respond in an emergency but also strengthens the resilience of our communities. This training is more than just first aid—it’s about developing a mindset of readiness and compassion.
“I have always dreamed of rolling out an initiative like this as I know from being a retired ambulance paramedic who important it is to have these life changing skills. We intend for this project to continue indefinitely and each year we will give 6th class pupils across the county the tools to help save lives. A whole generation of people will be able to respond in an emergency situation and the fact of the matter is that this will save lives.
“This is all completely free and we are all volunteers who offer this training at no cost. We are passionate about our community and we want to transfer the important skills we have to other people. We also do training with local sports clubs and community groups and our outlook is if we can help save even one life then achieved everything,” stated Pat.
“We are blessed in the Louth area to have a wealth of excellent instructors. On the day we had Carol Cumiskey, Orla Sheridan, Ryan Hayes and Advanced Paramedics Stephen and Niamh O’Neil,” he added.
Any schools that are interested in the CPR for schools training delivered to their sixth class pupils should contact Dundalk Red Cross at 087 905 7616 or email uo.dundalk@irishredcross.com
The Irish Red Cross schools programme is proudly funded by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth.
Visit www.redcross.ie
