Delivered by Tamworth aquatic lifeguard Cameron McFarlane, students were taught practical lifesaving skills, including effective compression, effective breathing, recovery rolls and how to react in an emergency situation.

Mr McFarlane started the NSW Primary School CPR Awareness Campaign eight years ago after having to deliver CPR several times himself and has since educated more than 22,000 students throughout the State.

“It’s a simple skill that can and does save lives,” he said.

Nabiac Year 5/6 teacher Karin Madden said the course was very valuable and was delivered in a way the students could relate to.

Year 6 student Cooper Brady agreed.

“I thought it was good to learn CPR so that if we’re ever in a situation like that we could help,” he said.

Mr McFarlane said the Nabiac students were a great bunch of kids who showed good listening skills and a real enthusiasm to learn.

He also believed that with Australian kids being such active water-goers, it was so important for them to know CPR, especially considering the disturbing number of drownings that have occurred in Australia recently.

“It’s vital,” he said.

“If they’re equipped with the skills there’s no reason why they couldn’t save a life.”

Mr McFarlane has already taught students at a number of schools up and down the Mid North Coast and plans to deliver the course to more schools in the area in coming months.

He also aims to get the course implemented into the NSW Primary School Curriculum and is in the process of advocating for that at the moment.

To find out more about the campaign or to request the course at your school, click here.