Freemasons’ Lodge Keys trains 600 CAL School pupils in vital skill
HYDERABAD, Oct 16 (Ther CONNECT) – Classrooms turned into life-saving labs as more than 600 students of CAL International School, Kapra, learnt the art of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) during a unique awareness workshop organised by Lodge Keys No. 297, the primary unit of Freemasons. The interactive session transformed ordinary schoolchildren into potential first responders, equipping them with a critical skill that can mean the difference between life and death.
The initiative, led by D. Ramachandram, member of Lodge Keys and coordinator of the CPR Ambassador project, forms part of a larger mission to train at least 1,000 citizens in basic life support. Experts Dr Srirang Abkari, Senior General Physician and Freemason, along with Dr Ashok Kumar Chaitanya and Dr Vijayananda from the International Trauma Centre, Hyderabad, conducted the training.
Dr Abkari guided classes 7 and 8 through the science and sequence of CPR — from assessing responsiveness and calling emergency number 108 to mastering chest compressions at 100–120 per minute with a 30:2 compression-to-breath ratio. He reminded students that “saving even one life makes learning CPR worthwhile.” Demonstrations also covered handling choking victims and adjusting techniques for infants, women, and the elderly.
For senior students of classes 9 and 10, the workshop adopted a hands-on approach. Under expert supervision, every student practised compressions on mannequins, refining their rhythm and technique. The exercise inspired lively discussions that revealed the youngsters’ curiosity and empathy. Their thoughtful questions — about moral responsibility, fear of failure, or whether age or gender matters in performing CPR — left the doctors deeply impressed.
“India has 1.4 billion people, yet barely 2 percent know CPR,” said Ramachandram, urging schools and communities to normalise life-saving education. He added that Lodge Keys plans to revisit CAL School to train another 340 students, taking the total to around 900 — likely the largest such cohort in any city school.
By the end of the day, 600 students left with more than just certificates; they carried confidence, compassion, and the ability to act when seconds count. The Freemasons’ initiative, supported by CAL International School, shows that when young minds learn the value of timely help, they can truly become lifesavers — proving that some of the most powerful lessons start right in the classroom.
