SECONDARY schools across the country are being encouraged to sign up for a life-saving lesson.

Restart a Heart Day, which last year saw more than 11,000 schoolchildren trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), will be repeated again this year.

Over 30,000 people suffer cardiac arrests outside of hospital in the UK every year. If this happens in front of a bystander who starts CPR immediately before the arrival of the ambulance, the patient’s chances of survival double.

Jason Carlyon, who is a clinical development manager for Yorkshire Ambulance Service, based in North Yorkshire, said: “Last year’s event exceeded all our expectations. It was incredibly inspirational to be a part of a day which was embraced by so many of Yorkshire’s schools.

"Their pupils were thrilled to learn such an important lesson which could save the life of a loved one or stranger in the future; I know of one youngster who has already used some of the skills learned last year."

Any school interested in taking part can register their interest by emailing restartaheart@yas.nhs.uk - please provide the name of the school and a contact name and telephone number.

The deadline for applications is Friday, April 10 2015.