First aid taster day success

Divisional volunteers were staging a "taster day," an opportunity for the public to learn life-saving basic first aid.

Now there are plans to stage further training sessions for the public, taking advantage of the division's move from its previous remote rural site off Ninfield Road to its new town-centre site and picking a time when there are fewer seasonal counter-attractions.

From 10am until noon the spacious hq in Beeching Close was a hive of activity as the visitors learned how to recognise and deal with choking and severe bleeding and to counter heart attacks using cardio-pulmonary resuscitation techniques.

Unit leader Jill Andrews had hoped that even more people might have responded to the unit's free offer.

But she said: "Those who did attend were really appreciative and practiced all the life-saving skills we had on offer.

"In addition, several asked about further first-aid courses.

"I think we will repeat it, when the weather is not so hot and there are not so many other summer events to contend with.

"As unit leader, I was really proud of the members who took responsibility for different aspects of the training.

"Most had never done this before and it was great to see them gaining confidence in speaking and showing their skills."