Education officer Community Education Georgie Davis hopes Casey residents learn the four steps for life. 26634
By Lia Bichel
IT MAY only take four very important steps to save a life, and Ambulance Victoria is urging Casey residents to learn them.
The free CPR awareness program funded for adults over the age of 50 is aimed to create awareness and confidence in performing CPR.
Many Casey residents attended the program on 17 February at the Balla Balla Community Centre, Cranbourne East, and educational officer Georgina Davis said she hoped others would attend a second session in March.
Individuals or business representatives who attend the one-hour class will receive a 20-minute video, written information, and training aids to assist with teaching and practice. Ms Davis said the kit was available for individuals or for a group of 20 people.
“It is perfect for groups. One person can get the kit and take it back and teach it to the rest of the club,” Ms Davis said.
“It is important to have the general knowledge of CPR. In Victoria, there are 3500 cardiac arrests outside of a hospital every year, and three out of four happen in the family home. If the victim receives CPR they are four times as likely to survive.”
Ms Davis said the four basic steps of CPR were:
• Call triple 000 if a person is unconscious to not breathing normally;
• Open the victim’s airway;
• Give the victim two breaths;
• Give the victim 30 compressions. The Four Steps for Life kit provides further information and instructions for proper technique.
Though participants will not receive accreditation for the course, Ms Davis said it was important to have general CPR knowledge.
“We want people to understand that knowing any CPR is better than not knowing any CPR,” she said.
Ambulance Victoria will hold the next sessions at the Balla Balla Community Centre, Cranbourne East, from 1.30pm to 2.30pm on Wednesday 18 March. Everyone must bring a pillow for the practical exercise.
