First aid courses scheduled for fall

Sooke residents previously daunted by the drive to downtown Victoria for first aid classes will have four chances this September to complete emergency first aid level one.

“It’s to encourage Sooke residents to get out there an take this course,” says Kate Butler, volunteer coordinator for St. John Ambulance. “It’s a really good thing for the community because emergency preparedness is so big right now and having people in your community who know what to do if something ever happens is a real benefit.”

The 8-hour course is a Workers Compensation Board recognized certificate which covers basic wound care, bleeding, artificial respiration, CPR, choking, and information about WCB safety.

“The instructor who’s going to teach it, Ray Fisher, is one of our longest teaching instructors,” says Butler. “He lives in the western communities and he’s really excited about the project.”

Classes will take place at the Pentecostal Church, 6851 West Coast Rd. on:

Wednesday Sept. 12, Saturday, Sept. 15 and Monday Sept. 22 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Classes from 6-10 p.m. are set for Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 17 and 18.

A grant from the municipality of Sooke is subsiding the cost of the courses, dropping the fee from $85 to $65 for Sooke residents.

“It’s a good chance for people to get involved and use St. John Ambulance, we’re the leader in first aid training.” says Butler.

source:www.sookenewsmirror.com