MORE than half of secondary schools in Hampshire do not have access to lifesaving defibrillators, a Daily Echo investigation has found.

Out of 57 schools across our area, just 22 have the vital equipment on site that could save a child’s life.

The details can be revealed today as we continue our Save A Life In Schools campaign following the heroics of a group of Hampshire teachers who kept 16-year-old Sam Mangoro alive with the vital tool when he collapsed and suffered a heart attack in class.

In Southampton the figures are even more alarming, with only one-third of senior schools having the £800 equipment available.

But following our story on how Sam’s life was saved on the floor of the sports hall at Romsey’s Mountbatten School, more schools now say they are considering investing in the equipment.

Among them are Bitterne Park and Romsey schools.

As reported by the Daily Echo, quick-thinking staff at the Whitenap Lane school sprung into action when pupil Sam suddenly collapsed during a PE lesson.

Four teachers, including job interviewee Emma Denham, carried out life-saving CPR and shocked him with the defibrillator four times – something paramedics later said was critical in keeping Sam alive.

Several of the schools which already have defibrillators on site are specialist sports colleges, while most private schools also carry the technology including King Edward VI School which has two and Winchester College with three.

Staff at these schools have backed the Echo’s campaign and spoken of how vital defibrillators are to safety.

Trudi Bailey, nurse at Crofton School, Fareham, said the school obtained a defibrillator a year ago.

She said: “You never know when something is going to happen, so we felt we had to have one on site. We are also training as many staff as possible to use it and have 16 Duke of Edinburgh Award students trained to use it.

“I think the Echo is doing a very wise thing making everyone aware of how important these are for schools.”

Trudi, a qualified defibrillator trainer, is leading another training program at the school in April.