![LIFESAVER: Lifeguard Cameron McFarlane has trained 40,000 kids how to save a life by using CPR in the last decade. Photo: Peter Hardin LIFESAVER: Lifeguard Cameron McFarlane has trained 40,000 kids how to save a life by using CPR in the last decade. Photo: Peter Hardin](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/andrew.messenger/bad82807-7d16-44e7-814e-4087ac85ff03.jpg/r0_0_3646_5455_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
After training 40,000 kids how to save a life, Cameron McFarlane knows that he's made a difference.
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The senior aquatic lifeguard started teaching CPR to Tamworth students exactly one decade ago this month.
Since the first days with Year 5 and Year 6 students at Tamworth West Public School, Mr McFarlane has even taken his CPR program overseas, to Vietnam.
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"I think it's crucial the training that's going through the schools," he said.
"We've already had a student use it, [they went] through this program and knew what to do from this program and that was relayed back from the teachers. I think I have made a difference in safety awareness. If it does happen, they're not completely blind, they've got some idea of what to do, even if it's just a case of ringing triple zero.
"Any attempt at CPR is better than no attempt."
The lifeguard has even used the skills himself during a crisis five times.
"[I] saved five lives. It's not that I did it, it's because I knew how to do it," he said.
"That's the message and training I'm trying to get out to Stage 3 students."
Mr McFarlane has lobbied for the lifesaving training to be added to the formal schools curriculum by NSW parliament.
Until it is, he will continued to do the job, and help make Australia a safer place to be.
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