Highland Council has set itself the target of installing life-saving defibrillators at every secondary school.
It is hoped community donations will help pay for the vital devices, which cost between £1,000 and £1,500.
A Western Isles councillor, who survived a heart attack three years ago, has convinced his mainland counterparts that defibrillators are invaluable items.
Angus Morrison, a member of the isles’ education committee, is also a coordinator with the Lucky2BHere charity which was established 13 years ago by Skye man Ross Cowie after his survival from a sudden cardiac arrest that he suffered in the street.
His life was saved by the quick response and skills of a passing ambulance crew.
Highland Council now intends to have the equipment available at every secondary school by the summer of 2018.
Authority representatives will discuss that ambitious objective with head teachers and parent groups to agree a realistic timeline.
Fundraising options will also be considered and training arranged for staff and pupils.
The lightweight machines are the size of a small rucksack. When opened, a recorded voice even offers instructions on how to use them.
Defibrillators treat cardiac dysrhythmias with an electric current to the heart.
They are already provided at Ardnamurchan High, Culloden Academy, Dingwall Academy, Dornoch Academy, Drummond School, Fortrose Academy, Gairloch High, Golspie High (health centre), Grantown Grammar (adjacent sports centre), Inverness Royal Academy, Kingussie High, Lochaber High, Millburn Academy, Nairn Academy, Plockton High, Portree High School and Tain Royal Academy (sports centre).
The council hopes to provide the devices at 16 other schools.
Mr Morrison, 59, said: “Lucky2BHere is empowering communities to deal with situations. So far, it has put in close to 500 defibrillators throughout Scotland.”
Telling fellow councillors that 270 schoolchildren die each year in Scotland from cardiac arrest, he urged them to “leave a legacy” in the run-up to the May elections, by pledging to cover all secondary schools.
Highland education chairman Drew Millar said: “It would be fantastic to have defibrillators in all our schools. If this saves one life it will be worth having.”
