An on-line course could help grandparents save a precious life according to water safety expert Laurie Lawrence.
The legendary swim coach and founder of Kids Alive has thrown his weight behind the free online training course, The Heart Beat Club aimed at empowering Australians with vital CPR and first aid skills for infants and toddlers.
Kids Alive have partnered with Royal Life Saving (RLSSA) to create the program which aims to give grandparents the skills to save a life in a water emergency.
Laurie Lawrence, founder of Kids Alive and a grandfather of five, is adamant all grandparents should know CPR.
“When you have grandchildren, their safety becomes your top priority. Knowing CPR isn’t just a skill; it’s a lifeline. I can’t stress enough how important it is for grandparents to be prepared for emergencies,” he said.
A recent survey by RLSSA highlighted a concerning gap: while 90 per cent of Australians recognise the importance of CPR training, only 59 per cent have completed it, and a mere 23 per cent have done so in the past year. These statistics underscore a pressing need for more education and regular skill refreshers.
“More than 40 per cent of people don’t have any CPR skills, and we know resuscitation knowledge significantly diminishes within three to six months post-training,” explained Lauren Nimmo, Senior Manager of Research, Media, and Communications at Royal Life Saving WA.
“The Heart Beat Club removes common barriers like cost and time, making life-saving knowledge accessible to everyone.”
The Heart Beat Club is designed to be completed in just one hour and covers a range of essential topics, including CPR, treatment of common injuries, choking, burns, scalds, control of bleeding, dealing with shock, and control of communicable diseases.
“Lives are lost in pools, dams, baths, sinks, and even eskies. These lives could potentially be saved using the skills learnt in just 60 minutes at home with The Heart Beat Club,” Laurie said.
“Grandparents, this is your opportunity to make a significant difference. Imagine the peace of mind knowing you can confidently respond in a crisis. Any attempt at CPR when a child is not breathing can dramatically increase survival rates. Come on, there is no excuse.”
To register for the course, visit heartbeatclub.org.au.
About Kids Alive: Kids Alive is dedicated to drowning prevention and child safety, offering essential resources and education across Australia for children under 5.
