When community members were unable to help a young man during an emergency at a remote waterhole near Barunga in July the local community decided to take action.
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St John Ambulance Community Education officer Hayley Edge travelled from Darwin to Barunga last week in a bid to prevent similar events from happening again.
“In July this year a young man had a seizure while swimming near Barunga,” Ms Edge said.
“While the group who were with him managed to pull him out of the water, they were not able to help him as they were not first aid trained and did not know CPR.
“Heartbreakingly, they were unable to provide the possible life-saving first aid that the young man needed.”
Ms Edge said the man’s tragic death triggered a push within the community – and neighbouring Beswick – for locals and especially young people to learn first aid and CPR skills to make the communities stronger and more resilient and potentially save lives.
As part of St John Ambulance NT’s free First Aid in Schools program, more than 100 primary and senior students at Beswick and Barunga Schools were trained in first aid and CPR last week.
“These skills are just as important as reading and writing, and working with Elders, members of the community and local young people was an amazing opportunity to provide help and resilience in case of an emergency,” Ms Edge said.
Schools can book St John Ambulance NT’s free First aid in Schools by calling 8922 6200.