By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
A PROGRAM training secondary students to be first-aid champions has been piloted at Corio’s Northern Bay College.
The initiative was part of a new Ambulance Victoria secondary school program training students to become familiar with CPR and defibrillators.
Ambulance Victoria community education manager Kate Seignior said that the program aimed to increase the confidence of people to recognise and respond to medical emergencies.
“It’s hoped the students will become CPR champions for the Geelong area, empowering them to share their new skills and knowledge with their friends and family in the region and beyond,” she said.
Swan Hill mum Judy Cameron initiated the program after her 19-year-old son died from cardiac arrest. She wants CPR and defibrillator awareness made compulsory in schools across the state.
“I contacted Ambulance Victoria and Defib Your Club for Life because I didn’t want any mother to go through what I did,” Ms Cameron said.
Ms Seignor said training people to use defibrillators was important as more became available across the community .
“This combined program is fantastic and every step put into it is rewarding for a young adult. It gives them the confidence they need to give it a go and that’s priceless.
“We want to reach teenagers and teachers so that Ambulance Victoria’s important life-saving lessons can be taken home to share with their families and the broader community.”
