Creeks, dams, rivers, pools and even household baths all pose great risks to children.

Lifeguard Cameron McFarlane, from Tamworth, has performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on numerous occasions, each time with a successful result.

He is spending seven of his hard-earned long-service weeks visiting more than 5000 year 5 and 6 students across NSW, including students at Orange Public School on Friday.

“I’ve managed to secure 32 sponsors to raise $11,000 back in my home town to do a state trip to enforce CPR to year 5 and 6 students,” he said.

“We deal with CPR on a regular basis, and I’ve had a few occasions where I’ve had to use it myself, but I’ve been fortunate that those people have survived.

“That prompted me to design this program to give those skills to year 5 and 6 students before they reach high school.”

Some of the skills that Orange Public School students learnt on Friday included compressions, where to put their hands when applying CPR, correct breathing, how to look after themselves and others around water, recovery roles and a host of other skills that could one day save a life.

Orange mayor John Davis, who was in attendance at Orange Public School on Friday, hopes other schools develop similar programs.

“I would insist that whoever is in charge of Orange City Council in the future ensures all our schoolchildren receive similar training from Cameron who is passionate, enthusiastic and experienced,” he said.

“It’s all fun, they’re lining up to do it, and it’s a valuable experience.

“I know when I was at school there was nothing like this, and it’s something that is simple and would apply to some 30,000 kids in the Central West.”

bryson.ferreira@fairfaxmedia.com.au