PUPILS from Bridgewater High School got to grips with an automated external defibrillator (AED) to gain vital life skills on June 29.

Thirty pupils from the Appleton school's lower site, on Hall Drive, took part in a practical training session with the AED, which was provided following fundraising efforts by staff at Sainsbury's Local in Stockton Heath.

Through charity Hand on Heart, the store helped raise more than £1000 to bring the apparatus to the the school in February.

During the sessions students learned how to use the AED and carried out chest compression techniques.

Performing arts technician Aaron Cawley, who helps out with the school's first aid requirements, praised those taking part for their willingness to learn.

"All of the students really embraced the training and it was great to see," he said.

"They were put in real life situations and even thought they may have been daunted when they walked through the doors, they soon took it all on board.

"These are really important life skills and they may need to use them, possibly more so at home than at school."

As part of the day, 12 members of staff were also educated on how to use the AED properly.

Those taking part had the chance to try out emergency procedure CPR on training dolls, which could be set to different strengths.

"We have a number of individuals who are now trained first-aiders – that is an important thing," added Mr Cawley.

"The dolls could be set to strengths of easy, medium and hard to mimic different builds."

The school also funded a defibrillator in time for it to arrive at its upper site base last month.