Learning CPR to save a life

THE Cabarita Beach-Pottsville Beach Lions Club is on a mission to save lives by training as many community members as possible to become Heart Heroes.

The Hands on Heart Australia CPR training launched on the North Coast earlier this year, making it one of only two Lions Clubs in Australia currently hosting the program, and has trained 140 people since February.

Originating in Mildura, Lions member and former teacher Graeme Tulloch launched the program two years ago after having a heart attack, assisted by an off-duty policeman and a passing nurse.

Cabarita Beach-Pottsville Beach Lions Club president Bill Brodie said an article in the Lions magazine about the project came to the attention of club secretary Pam Zions, who now also serves as the Hands on Heart project manager.

“Pam brought the article to me, and we thought it was a bloody good idea, and we could do something similar,” Brodie said.

“Our mission is dedicated to improving survival rates of individuals experiencing sudden cardiac arrest in our community.

“We’re committed to offering free CPR training, and our goal is to train another 300 people over the next two years.”

In addition to performing CPR, the training delivered by Pacific Coast First Aid includes the use of a defibrillator, which, according to Brodie, has relatively low awareness in the community.

“A lot of pubs and clubs have a defib machine, but very few know how to use it,” he said.

“The training walks you through the whole process and gives excellent information.”

The program has recently expanded to schools, with the first session training 56 students at St. Ambrose Catholic Public School in Pottsville. More school programs will take place next year.

The club offers a two-hour free course at the Cabarita Beach Hotel on the last Monday of each month from October to December at 10.30 am. Bookings are essential.

For information, call Bill Brodie on 0411 406 143 or visit lionscbpb.org.au/hands-on-heart-australia