Caravan club refreshes first aid skills with new course

The Sandgroper Caravanners Inc. recently refreshed their essential first aid skills through Royal Life Saving WA’s newly-launched Heart Beat 45+ First Aid refresher course.

The new training session, delivered by Trainer Cathie Calleja, covered CPR and first aid components including cardiac arrest, sunstroke, choking, hypothermia, shock, bleeding, and bites and stings. Thanks to the availability of our Heart Beat 45+ grants supported by the WA Department of Health, these community members were able to participate in the course for free and learn from Cathie’s extensive experience as a first aid responder and trainer. 

Sixteen of the club's members attended the three-hour refresher course, which has been designed specifically for adults who would like to learn more about conditions associated with ageing, how to respond in an emergency when travelling around WA and participating in popular aquatic activities. The group were in consensus that the course adequately prepared them for a variety of life-threatening scenarios through its hands-on learning style.

“Heart Beat 45+ was excellent; we all agreed the course was very enjoyable. As a group, we all go camping and caravanning regularly so understanding what to do in an emergency, particularly when out in the bush, is very important – especially as we are all getting a little bit older,” said Cheryl Kent, Vice President of Sandgroper Caravanners Inc. “I personally enjoyed the hands-on aspect of the course such as using a defibrillator, bandaging for large wounds or snake bites, and how to use an EpiPen. Our trainer slipped in personal anecdotes about her own experience which made it all the more relatable.”  

With half of all drowning deaths recorded in WA being adults aged 45 years and over, this refresher education course aims to prepare the community in how to respond in an emergency. Heart Beat 45+ grants, which are available for WA organisations, clubs, associations or small groups, cover the cost of the course for all participants for the benefit of training first responders in every community. 

To read more about the course and apply for a grant, follow the link below.