CPR and First Aid in Schools
Brittney Kleyn
- From: The Daily
Telegraph - January 26, 2012
12:00AM
THE shores of Summer Bay are never far from a little beachside drama – but when
it comes to water safety, the stars of Home and Away aren’t taking any chances.
The cast of the popular Australian show have thrown their support behind The
Daily Telegraph’s campaign to bring compulsory certified CPR training into high
schools.
Sign
our petition for certified CPR training in NSW
schools
When Axle Whitehead, who plays Liam Murphy on the show, found himself having
to rescue a tourist at Bondi
Beach, he was thankful for the basic training he had received as a kid.
“I’ve witnessed it first hand and learning the old CPR, I think it’s
absolutely imperative for that one time when you need it,” he said.
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students for less than $40m a year – and lifesaving groups said there were
options to cut the cost.
Professor Brian Owler backs The Daily Telegraph’s push for CPR in the national
school curriculum.
week out, but their injuries on the paddock can rarely be described as
life-threatening.
– even the juniors, and a new batch of them are learning it this week at St
George Hospital.
schools. Join our campaign backed by Royal Life Saving Australia and St John
Ambulance.
The Daily Telegraph’s popular campaign for certified CPR training for all
students.
mandatory CPR lessons in all schools in the wake of a campaign by The Daily
Telegraph.
“It’s like learning how to draw or spell and as Australians we spend so much
time in the water. It is so important.”
His on-screen girlfriend Bianca Scott, played by Lisa Gormley, emphasised the
necessity of knowing the basics before heading out into the water.
“I just think it’s vital. It’s a good confidence thing for yourself as well –
knowing if something happens you have some knowledge of how to deal with it,”
she said.
Home and Away’s Samara Weaving said it was important for CPR training to
start young.
“Even if kids are just aware and learning the basics, things happen and they
need to know these vital skills.” she said.
With lifeguards always on the set, Weaving said it put the cast at ease
knowing someone experienced had their back.
“CPR skills aren’t too hard to teach. Not when you compare it to how useful
they are should that situation ever come up,” she said.
Now in its 24th season, the stars of the Channel 7 series said there was lots
of drama in store for the residents of Summer Bay.
“We’ve pulled the trigger. It’s a really exciting first half of the year for
all our characters. A lot of juicy stuff to come,” Whitehead said.
“Our characters are in a good place, for now that is. I guess it’s a case of
stayed tuned.”
Gormley said it was a privilege to be part of such a successful, long-running
program.
“It’s absolutely amazing. They are such a well-oiled machine and they’ve been
going so well for so long,” she said.
Simple Instruction is supporting this iniative to get CPR and First Aid into schools. Simple Instruction has been conducting courses for schools on the Northern Beaches and around Sydney for the past 2 years. Schools such as Narrabeen Sports High School, Barrenjoey High School, Ryde Secondary College, Hunters Hill High School, Balgowlah Boys High School and Mascot High School have taken this opportunity to increase the safety in the school with training to over 300 students and teachers in First Aid and CPR.
Simple instruction also has public Apply First Aid and Perform CPR courses most Saturdays at The Brookvale Hotel for anyone who would like to come along in 2012.
