The initiative, designed by Tamworth pool supervisor Cameron McFarlane, is aimed at teaching youngsters the correct cardio pulmonary resuscitation techniques and ensuring they are aware that quick identification and action can result in a life saved – in the hope it’ll reduce the rise in drowning.

About 60 Year 5 and 6 pupils, including seven from Martindale Public School, completed the training with flying colours, according to principal Megan Druitt.

“The children absolutely loved it,” she said.

“They were so engaged in the entire process – and took all of the information on board.

“In fact, Cameron praised them for their enthusiasm.

“His delivery to the students was brilliant and promoted a lot of discussion afterwards.

“It’s also given the children more confidence [if they ever find themselves in that sort of situation].

“We’re hoping the kids will take home this information and be able to re-educate their families.

“The plan now is to incorporate it into our school schedule every year.”

Mr McFarlane also covers the four key drowning prevention actions, as per the Keep Watch initiative: Supervise, Restrict Access, Water Awareness and Resuscitate.

“I was invited to do the program at Denman Public School, by principal Megan Druitt, due to the popular demand from my NSW CPR tour last year around the state,” he said.

“It features demonstrations on mannequins, ranging from infant-sized to adult. 

“The students put the skills they have learnt into action on the dummies alternating between chest compressions and respirations. 

“I also enforce the need for safety throughout the program, stressing that lifesavers use mouth-to-mask rather than mouth-to-mouth. 

“The most important part is looking after yourself and reminding yourself that checking for danger is crucial.

“Over the past five years, more than 20,000 students have experienced the program.”