Some North Okanagan residents have been given the skills to save lives.
The Silver Star Rotary Club Project Save-A-Life Mass CPR training saw 245 people, ages 12 to 90, earn their level A certificates Saturday.
“Heaven forbid anyone should have to use this but if you do, you want to know how,” said chairman Mike Poznanski.
He said there are reports of people using the training to save lives for people who needed it while golfing and skiing and that he and the other Silver Star Rotary Club members are pleased to be able to offer the free training to the community.
“We saw people coming in with their families and co-workers so that homes and workplaces will be safer places to be. It’s amazing that such a simple technique can be so critical in saving lives if it can done right away.”
The training took place at Clarence Fulton Secondary School and it included information on how to recognize heart attacks, use of the Heimlich manoeuvre and use of a portable defibrillator. Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of premature death.
The day started with a pancake breakfast which collected donations for the food bank.
This is the 23rd year the Silver Star Rotary Club has provided the training to the community and the number of people taking the course was up from last year.
“We have seen literally thousands of people trained over the years to create a safer community. We want to thank Vernon Fire and Rescue for assisting with the training and our corporate sponsors for making it possible,” said Poznanski.
