Community embraces lifesaving skills

By Callan Date
A ‘MIRACLE’ has inspired a community to embrace the lifesaving skills of CPR.
Prominent district leaders and groups have backed the Gazetteinspired initiative and are urging people to sign up and learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Interested people will be offered the chance to learn the procedure at a specially designed course to be held in Pakenham later this month.
Pakenham Red Cross volunteer Meryl Waterhouse is thrilled the training course will again be offered to local residents.
“We haven’t had anything like this in Pakenham for years and the recent CPR campaign in the Gazette prompted us to get something going in the community,” Ms Waterhouse said.
Participants will have the choice of four different dates to undertake the fourhour training session at Pakenham Hall.
The successful campaign was inspired by the lifesaving efforts of local men Harry Maas and David Harrison.
The seasoned rescue volunteers performed CPR on Star News Group owner Ian Thomas and saved his life at this year’s Pakenham Show.
“I just feel the whole thing is a miracle,” Mr Thomas said.
Those moments highlighted the importance of people having basic firstaid skills and the training to react in an emergency situation.
“It will be great for the people in our area to undertake CPR training at a relatively low cost,” Ms Waterhouse said.
Victorian Red Cross official Peter Gostelow said participants would receive a nationally recognised CPR certificate on completion of the course.
“This course will enable people to administer lifesaving skills that will greatly enhance the survival of anyone in need of assistance,” Mr Gostelow said.
Participants will be taught CPR in a practical manner and will be taken through each step of the lifesaving process.
Councillor Brett Owen has been following the CPR coverage in the Gazette and has lent his support to the awareness and training program.
“I’m really happy to be able to help out the Pakenham Red Cross by donating $500 of ward funds to the program,” Cr Owen said.
The money will go towards hall hire and other items that will keep the cost low for participants.
“Anything that gives people knowledge of firstaid and CPR is good for the community and it’s great that so many people are getting behind this CPR campaign,” Cr Owen said.
The Pakenham Red Cross Performed CPR training will take place on 31 July, 3 August, 7 August and 10 August between 6pm and 10pm. Sessions will cost $55 per person and bookings can be made by calling 1300 367 428.