Pumped up for first aid

THE call to step in and save a life could come at any time.
That’s the message from local first aid experts and organisers of the Noosa Show who are urging the community to learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other first aid skills.
ER First Aid trainer Rod Kriz said the warm weather not only brings sunshine and longer days but an increase in drownings on beaches.
“With good CPR training, a person can help save a life,” he said.
“You never know when this skill will be called upon but successful CPR has helped save many lives in Australia.”
People trained in CPR and first aid came in handy for one man at the recent Noosa Show who collapsed at the bar after being served his first beer.
Noosa Show Society committee member Mia Hacker said two women jumped to the man’s aid, laying him on the ground before a show volunteer began CPR while waiting for an ambulance to arrive.
“Fast first aid and CPR being known by the community is so vital and just in this case, is surely to have aided in the man regaining consciousness and now recovering fully in hospital,” Ms Hacker said.
“We hope that many community groups in the future continue to support volunteers learning and keeping up-to-date with first aid and CPR training.”
Mr Kriz said a quick CPR response is vital when it comes to saving a life, often meaning the difference between death and survival.
“Early CPR is a critical element in the survival of patients who suffer cardiac arrest,” he said.
“There are many reasons why a patient may suffer cardiac arrest, including drowning.
“If a patient can receive early CPR their survival chances are enhanced considerably, particularly if an auto-external defibrillator (AED) can be made available.”
He said by providing CPR, a community member can help keep the oxygen flow to the brain, “which is absolutely essential to life”.
“It is important all people take the opportunity to develop and maintain CPR training at the numerous facilities on the Sunshine Coast,” he said.