Free defibrillator workshops

AMBULANCE Victoria Community Officers (ACOs) David Nankervis and Roger Abel are on a mission to make the community safer, running free CPR and defibrillator workshops.

The pair, along with local restaurant owners at Doc Hughes, purchased a public access defibrillator and will start the initiative on August 12.

Along with being ACO’s Mr Nankervis and Mr Abel also run their own training and first aid companies, understanding the importance of early intervention during a cardiac event.

Mr Nankervis said the call, push, shock workshops are in line and supported by Ambulance Victoria.

“It’s enabling people to call 000, start pushing on the chest as soon as possible and shock where available.”

During the workshop, participants will be able to put call, push, shock into practice using mannequins and gain a better understanding of automated external defibrillators (AED’s.)

Mr Nankervis said the purpose of the training is to raise an overall awareness within the community and after purchasing the AED they don’t want to see it hanging on the wall with people not knowing how to use it.

 

 

“We’re providing these free to engage the community and make them feel a bit more comfortable about doing something in an emergency, or at least alerting other people that there is in fact a defib there to be used.”

Taking the fear out of helping somebody during an emergency situation and giving people basic knowledge is another reason for running the workshops.

“We want to see the community helping the community.

“The more AED’s and education we can provide within the community hopefully means we have a safer community, number one, but we also have a community that’s ready to act in an emergency.”

Training will better prepare participants for what to do in the event of a cardiac emergency, however participants will not receive a first aid certificate.

The workshops will run from 4pm at Doc Hughes next Monday.

For more information or to RSVP, get in touch at [email protected]