Newark Academy pupils are taught vital first aid skills
Pupils at a Newark school are among the latest people to receive free first aid training as part of a two-year project to create 10,000 community lifesavers.
Newark Community First Aid led a three-hour basic life support course for senior prefects at Newark Academy, teaching skills such as how to resuscitate someone and how to use a defibrillator.
The charity held a free public course in Balderton Village Centre on the same evening and has now trained 828 people since the Community Lifesaver scheme was launched on August 10.
Training manager Mr Philip Jessop said: “The group of senior prefects at Newark Academy were enthusiastic and participated fully in the course, clearly enjoying the practical elements.
“It is important that young people learn key skills, such as recovery position, CPR and how to control bleeding, as young people often take part in sports and adventure pursuits where they may come across accidents.
“We are also keen to encourage young people over the age of 16 to become a volunteer with our charity.
“The training and volunteering experience can be an asset to all young people and a great opportunity to experience first aid for young people considering a career in healthcare or childcare.”
'Educational and engaging'
The course covered assessing a patient, managing an unconscious casualty, heart attack, severe bleeding, burns and scalds.
The evening course at Balderton covered similar areas of first aid and attracted two young adults who travelled 20 miles from Sherwood in Nottingham.
Mr Jessop said: “We were a little disappointed with only eight attending the Balderton course as most courses fill to capacity, but we were delighted to welcome the candidates from Nottingham.
“They said they could not find any similar courses in the Nottingham area and in feedback said they found the course extremely educational and engaging, which is pleasing to hear.”
Newark Community First Aid provides courses free and at local venues to make training accessible to all.
FORTHCOMING COURSES
The next courses are at Fernwood Village Hall on Friday, and at Carlton-on-Trent Village Hall on November 28.
