“The reason we started this is because we knew kids were big enough and capable enough, all they need is the knowledge and the skills and that brings them confidence,” St John Ambulance first aid instructor Neal Ripper said.

Grade five and six students worked their way through the actions they would take in a scenario where their parent had collapsed.

They were also given the chance to learn and practice their CPR techniques on mannequins.

“If more kids learn how to do this then more lives get saved,” Mr Ripper said.