Our guest speaker for August was Michael Ferguson from Ambulance Victoria (Benalla Unit), pictured here with Meet and Mingle convenor, Margaret Jenkins.
Michael, or Mick, spoke about emergency resuscitation, and how to respond if a person collapses.
Passionate about making the process simple, Mick encouraged people to have confidence in an emergency, as applying CPR quickly is critical to saving the person’s life.
Mick used a mannequin to demonstrate CPR and invited the audience to practice the rhythm of compressions by singing the song “Happy Birthday to You”. He corrected the misunderstanding that CPR is not to restart the heart but to keep blood circulating to the brain (perfusing the brain) and other vital organs.
Mick also spoke about and demonstrated how to operate an AED (Automatic External Defibrillator).
There is an AED located in the front entrance alcove (outside the main kitchen) of the Benalla Seniors and Community Building and others at the Benalla Library and Bendigo Bank shopfront. He mentioned if the AED when stored, is making a sound or has a light flashing it needs to be serviced.
Michael, or Mick, spoke about emergency resuscitation, and how to respond if a person collapses.
Passionate about making the process simple, Mick encouraged people to have confidence in an emergency, as applying CPR quickly is critical to saving the person’s life.
Mick used a mannequin to demonstrate CPR and invited the audience to practice the rhythm of compressions by singing the song “Happy Birthday to You”. He corrected the misunderstanding that CPR is not to restart the heart but to keep blood circulating to the brain (perfusing the brain) and other vital organs.
Mick also spoke about and demonstrated how to operate an AED (Automatic External Defibrillator).
There is an AED located in the front entrance alcove (outside the main kitchen) of the Benalla Seniors and Community Building and others at the Benalla Library and Bendigo Bank shopfront. He mentioned if the AED when stored, is making a sound or has a light flashing it needs to be serviced.
Mick demonstrated how easy it is to use the AED as it talks to the user through all the steps. Also, Mick noted it was important to do CPR until an AED or Paramedics arrived. The window for survival of a patient that has had a heart attack is ten minutes, so acting quickly was critical to survival.
He mentioned that if someone collapses and appears unconscious lay them on their back on a hard surface and start CPR immediately. If they regain consciousness, they will let you know quickly as CPR compressions on a person’s chest will be painful.
Mick’s take home message was any CPR is better than none.
Next month’s Meet and Mingle guest speaker will be Nicole McFarlane who will speak about Homelessness in Benalla. Kate Holmes will also assist with the presentation.
Doug Smith, Publicity Officer
He mentioned that if someone collapses and appears unconscious lay them on their back on a hard surface and start CPR immediately. If they regain consciousness, they will let you know quickly as CPR compressions on a person’s chest will be painful.
Mick’s take home message was any CPR is better than none.
Next month’s Meet and Mingle guest speaker will be Nicole McFarlane who will speak about Homelessness in Benalla. Kate Holmes will also assist with the presentation.
Doug Smith, Publicity Officer
