VIDEO: Justin Tomlinson Highlights The Importance Of Teaching CPR In Schools On BBC Points West

North Swindon MP and Patron of the Swindon branch of the British Heart Foundation, Justin Tomlinson, has made a passionate personal plea for Ministers to consider adding the teaching of emergency lifesaving skills in to the curriculum.

Justin, whose father died of a cardiac arrest, has been a long-term support of the British Heart Foundation's campaign to train a generation of lifesavers. 

The British Heart Foundation estimates that 10,000 people die every year as bystanders are unable to deliver CPR. Every minute without CPR or defibrillation can reduce a person’s chance of surviving a cardiac arrest by around 10%. It is understandable that some people are concerned they might make things worse – but the very worst thing a person can do is nothing.

The North Swindon MP made his comments during an appearance on BBC Points West as part of a story about a father who saved his child's life by performing the CPR he had learned a number of years ago.

Justin teamed up with the British Heart Foundation last year to deliver a life-saving class in CPR at his community office at the Orbital Shopping Park, and hopes to hold further classes this year.