23 March, 2023
Seniors learn first aid at Woodford
Two groups of senior residents gained a first aid qualification as sessions on first aid took place at the Woodford Memorial Hall on March 15 and 16.
It was the first time that many of the attendees had learned first aid, with 15 people attending on the first day and 10 on the second day.
The Woodford and Region Men’s Shed ran the courses, which were supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care under the National Shed Development Programme.
Members of the Woodford and Region Men’s Shed were among those to attend, along with members of the Woodford Historical Railway Society, and Woodford Art Group. Wives and partners of a number of the members also attended.
The attendees had completed an online theory lesson either at home or at the Woodford and Region Men’s Shed before attending the sessions, which were practical rather than theoretical.
General first aid, Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation were the key topics as St John Ambulance paramedic Kimberley Lennon chaired the sessions.
A volunteer at the Woodford and Region Men’s Shed, Jo Cooper, said it was a very pleasing turnout while the attendees listened carefully, followed instructions and were keen to learn.
Jo said it was important for people, especially aged 65 and beyond, to know what to do if they or someone close to them had a mishap such as a fall.
“The whole idea of the Men’s Shed is to look after one another,” she said.
Kimberley said people with a first aid qualification needed to renew it every few years because of how quickly things changed and evolved.
“I think it is important for people to know how to act in an emergency situation,” Kimberley said.
The St John Ambulance paramedic said if anyone had a fall or a stroke, someone nearby often didn’t know how to handle the situation.
“Knowledge is power,” she said.
