Train the trainer
Our crews respond fast, but the first people to help somebody in an emergency will usually be those at the scene when it happens. So we’ve developed our Train the Trainer programme for schools because we want to help more young people in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire learn vital CPR and defibrillator skills to feel confident enough to help somebody in cardiac arrest. When more young people learn how to save a life, we build stronger, safer communities - generation after generation.
Why it matters
Currently, 4 in 10 secondary school students (source: RCUK) are leaving school without CPR or defibrillator training. We want to change that, so our Train the Trainer programme, alongside our Community Training Programme, will ensure that students across our region can receive free CPR and defibrillator training as part of their curriculum.
The programme is based on developing students into CPR and defibrillator trainers to cascade lifesaving skills to their peers and other students. Ideally students will be in Year 11, Year 12 or Year 13.
Becoming a competent trainer takes time and high-quality training – and we’ll provide that support and training to give students time to build their knowledge and confidence.
Training process
Once registered, we’ll book in a Train the Trainer session for students wishing to become trainers. The initial session is focused on how to deliver the session, as well as hints and tips on becoming a CPR trainer with us.
We recommend that you book in the following shadow sessions within two weeks of the initial training session.
All students taking part in the programme require certain training in order to be signed off as CPR trainers for East Anglian Air Ambulance as part of the Train the Trainer programme. This includes the initial training session, which takes around half a day and covers:
- An introduction to the CPR and defibrillator session that students will be teaching.
- Introduction to the PowerPoint and lesson to support their sessions.
- Teaching techniques to support their training.
- Practical demonstration to peers.
- Frequently asked questions.
Alongside this, we’ll give students a CPR Volunteer Booklet with additional resources to support their training.
After the initial training session, students will be ready to team up in pairs to run their very first training session. This will be arranged ahead of time, with the school lead deciding who’s involved. One of our own trainers, or our CPR Lead Volunteer, will be there to support them.
If the trainer feels they’ve delivered the session well and to the standard needed, the students will be signed off and awarded their CPR Volunteer patch. From there, they’ll be ready lead their own sessions independently.
CPR Kit
Schools joining the programme will need to have CPR and defibrillator training equipment to use alongside the resources we provide. This includes manikins, inflatable manikins (like the British Heart Foundation’s CALL PUSH RESCUE set), and training defibrillators.
If your school doesn’t have kit ready at the start, we can lend you what’s needed to get things underway. While the programme is running, schools can choose to buy their own equipment to support future sessions, and we’re happy to help guide those purchases.
School support and organising sessions
For the Train the Trainer programme to work well, schools will need to set aside time for students to run their sessions. We know every school works differently and has its own timetable, so we’re always happy to be flexible in how the training is delivered.
What’s most important is that students get regular chances to practise, so their skills stay fresh and confident. That’s why we ask the school lead to help make sure sessions are happening, ideally across all year groups.
Keeping in touch
All communication for the Train the Trainer programme will take place between the school lead and East Anglian Air Ambulance. We’re not able to contact students directly, so we rely on the school lead to help coordinate the initial training and shadowing sessions, schedule the one hour CPR lessons for our trainers, and share back the number of students who’ve taken part.
This partnership helps everything run smoothly, and ensures students get the support they need at each stage of the programme.
Inspired to join us?
By learning CPR and passing those skills on, young people could become lifesavers in their schools and communities. If your school is ready to inspire young people and make a real difference, we’d love you to join us – get in touch to discuss next steps.
Frequently asked questions
The programme is designed for secondary schools across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. We recommend that participating students are in Year 11, Year 12 or Year 13, as they will go on to teach CPR and defibrillator skills to their peers.
Yes. East Anglian Air Ambulance provides the Train the Trainer programme free of charge to eligible schools, along with training resources and support throughout the programme.
The initial half-day training session covers CPR and defibrillator skills, how to deliver a CPR lesson, effective teaching techniques, practical demonstrations, and answers to common questions. Students also receive a CPR volunteer booklet to support their development as trainers.
Students attend the initial training session and then deliver a supported training session alongside another student. An East Anglian Air Ambulance Trainer or CPR Lead Volunteer will observe and provide guidance. Once students demonstrate the required standard, they are signed off as CPR trainers.
No previous CPR or teaching experience is required. The programme is designed to build both lifesaving skills and confidence in delivering training to others.
Schools will need access to CPR training equipment, such as manikins and training defibrillators. If a school does not have equipment when joining the programme, we can lend equipment to help get the programme started.
We provide the initial trainer training, supporting resources, volunteer booklet, shadowing opportunities, and ongoing guidance. We also support students during their first training sessions before they begin delivering sessions independently.
Once signed off, student trainers can deliver one-hour CPR and defibrillator awareness sessions to other students. Schools can schedule these sessions in a way that works best with their timetable and curriculum.
Each participating school should nominate a school lead. This person acts as the main contact for East Anglian Air Ambulance and helps organise training dates, student participation, and reporting training numbers.
The programme helps schools create a sustainable model for CPR education, increases students’ confidence in responding to emergencies, and enables young people to pass lifesaving skills on to future year groups, helping build safer communities.
Yes. Students who successfully complete the training and demonstrate the required standard are signed off as CPR trainers and receive a CPR Volunteer patch in recognition of their achievement.
Schools can register their interest using the Train the Trainer enquiry form on the East Anglian Air Ambulance website. The team will then discuss next steps and arrange the initial training session.
