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Life saving lessons

CPR training to be offered in Saskatchewan schools next year

Apr 2, 2026 | 11:09 AM

Saskatchewan students could soon be learning how to save lives in the classroom.

Beginning in the 2026–27 school year, school divisions across the province will have the option to offer CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) training through the CardiacCrash program. The initiative is a partnership between the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, which will provide training and materials to schools at no cost.

“Providing the opportunity to offer CPR education in our schools is an important step to protect lives and strengthen safety in our communities,” said Education Minister Everett Hindley. “By equipping students with the knowledge and confidence to respond in an emergency, we are helping them be ready when every second matters. We are grateful for our partnership with Heart and Stroke and pleased to offer this opportunity to school divisions across the province.”

The program focuses on hands-on learning to help students respond quickly during cardiac emergencies, something experts say can improve survival rates.

“This is an important step toward building a new generation of lifesavers by equipping students with the skills, knowledge and confidence to act in a cardiac arrest emergency,” said Carolyn Cyr of the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

The Good Spirit School Division is among those already offering the program.

“The CardiacCrash program plays a vital role in addressing Saskatchewan’s high rate of cardiac arrest fatalities, particularly in out of hospital settings where survival rates remain low,” said Good Spirit School Division CEO and Director of Education Quintin Robertson. “By integrating this program in Good Spirit School Division, we strengthen our commitment to responsibility by equipping students with the confidence and skills to act in emergencies by empowering a generation of potential lifesavers.”

Resources and supports are now being prepared ahead of the program’s rollout.

panews@pattisonmedia.com