KEY POINTS:
An international expert in CPR is calling for more teachers to be trained in the lifesaving technique.
Chris Clarke said boards of trustees implemented health and safety procedures according to national guidelines which didn't require teachers to be certified in CPR or first aid.
But conditions that caused children to stop breathing, such as allergies leading to anaphylactic shock, were becoming more common and pupils could die waiting for an ambulance, he said.
Clarke pointed to the case of a Hamilton teen who suffered a heart attack during a PE lesson at Hillcrest High in February.
Kenneth Yew, 16, was revived by a teacher and two students using CPR and the school defibrillator.
Hillcrest principal Kelvin Whiting said he was lucky to have staff trained in CPR and more teachers should have the skill.
"We are big institutions with a number of people in them and things can happen."
Ministry of Education spokesman Iain Butler said it was "unlikely" the guidelines would be changed.
He said school boards must create a safe working environment and comply with the Health and Safety Code of Practice and those requirements were enforced by the Education Review Office.
Clarke, a father of two, was called on to resuscitate many children during his years working at British emergency departments.
He said one case still haunted him - that of a 4-year-old girl who collapsed and was brought to the hospital where he was on duty.
None of her family knew how to perform CPR and she died despite him spending 30 minutes trying to revive her.
Clarke moved to New Zealand two years ago and is offering non-profit CPR courses at $5 a teacher through his company Life Simulation.
A one-on-one session can take just 15 minutes, while a small group can be taught how to save a life in less than an hour.
