LIFE-SAVING SKILLS: Students from Killarney Community College pictured learning life-saving skills from local first responders.

By Michelle Crean

Local students have acquired new skills thanks to a local volunteer group who gave up their time to teach life-saving skills.

Killarney's very own cardiac response unit gave up their time and services to every first year student attending Killarney Community College.

“The college is lucky enough to boast staff members whom form part of the first responders and were keen to bring the team in to educate the enthusiastic cohort,” Spanish teacher Edwina Duggan said.

“The first responders provided demonstrations and one-to-one tuition in CPR and AED usage.”

She outlined the importance of young teenagers knowing what to do if they encounter someone in cardiac difficulties.

“Life skills like knowing CPR or using an AED device could literally save someone's life someday. This training is part of a larger initiative with the aim to train up the three secondary schools in Killarney area. There will be a CPR competition between the schools which will be held in Killarney Community College later this year to encourage students to showcase their newly acquired skills.”