Heartstart Thatcham instructors pass the test

Pictured: Margaret Young, Kim Young, Norma Vincent, Naomi Mildenhall (Training Supervisor), Dan Carter, Helen Picken, Nick Young (Scheme Coordinator)

Following the launch of Heartstart Thatcham by the British Heart Foundation, six instructors were put through their paces by Training Supervisor Naomi Mildenhall.

On Saturday 13 July, Naomi lead the instructors, many of whom already have first aid qualifications and teaching experience, through ongoing assessments to ensure that they will be able to teach volunteers and perform first aid to the public.

Volunteers who come forward for Heartstart Thatcham will be taught Emergency Life Support (ELS) skills in the hope that they will be able to help in the event of an emergency. ELS is the set of actions needed to help keep someone alive until professional help arrives. ELS includes CPR (chest compressions and rescue breathing), dealing with choking and serious bleeding, and how to recognise the signs and symptoms of a heart attack.

Anyone over the age of 10 can volunteer and Heartstart Thatcham are currently operating a waiting list for those who want to come and take the free two hour training. To find out more go to www.heartstartthatcham.info.