Beating the drum for First Aid skills | Photos, video

LESS than a quarter of Victorians are qualified and confident enough to deliver First Aid in an emergency, according to St John Ambulance Victoria. 

But a mobile learning van parked in Hargreaves Mall on Wednesday aimed to boost those numbers by teaching people the basics of CPR. 

Participants were able to test their skills on state-of-the-art equipment that helped track their progress.

Each mannequin fed information to a screen that broadcast statistical insights into compressions.

Tutorials went for about 10 minutes. But St John Ambulance Victoria regional account executive Peter Gunn was hopeful the CPR Lab Experience would encourage people to pursue further training. 

“We never know when cardiac arrest is going to strike,” Mr Gunn said.

“This gives people a real-time experience of how to do CPR. Just that little bit of knowledge could make a difference.”

The organisation has a goal for First Aid training:

“One trained First Aider in every home, every workplace and every public event in Victoria – more would be better,” Mr Gunn said. 

He encouraged people to contact St John Ambulance Victoria or their local depot to register their interest. 

The Bendigo depot has about 25 volunteers.