CPR sisters inspire Hutt City Council CPR training

Lower Hutt sisters Jodie Alexander and Kathy James recently performed CPR on a driver who had suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. After hearing their story Lower Hutt City Councillor Margaret Willard was inspired to contact WFA’s Operation Heartbeat to set up free CPR training for the Wainuiomata Ward.

“Mrs James quote in the paper about ‘stunned mullets’ really inspired me. I agree with the sisters that everybody should know CPR. While I have learnt it before I need refresher training because when you use it you need to be confident. I want to be able to get in and do something,” says Councillor Willard

“CPR is crucial and it needs to be started straight away, everybody should know CPR and not just stand around like stunned mullets.” said Mrs James when interviewed.

Turning bystanders into life savers is a key aim of Operation Heartbeat a free training initiative run by Wellington Free Ambulance (WFA). Operation Heartbeat trains community groups, schools and businesses in ‘hands only’ cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) utilising the ‘React, Ring, Revive’ catchphrase that is simple and easy to remember in an emergency situation.

Andrew Dunning of Operation Heartbeat says “The community needs more people trained in CPR like Jodie and Kathy. You never know when you could be put in a situation where someone needs your help, it can happen anywhere at anytime to anyone. Knowing what to do is vital

”Miss Alexander had recently completed CPR training with the Red Cross with the goal of realising her goal of getting a job at WFA and Mrs James is a former WFA Paramedic. They are both passionate about spreading the message about CPR training being vital.

Wellington Free Ambulance aims to make the Greater Wellington Region the leading place to survive a sudden cardiac arrest.

The first series of Operation Heartbeat CPR training in Wainuiomata is Tuesday May 1 with four classes on the hour each hour between 10 -2; then a second series is on Saturday May 5. All classes are held at Wainuiomata Library. Class size is limited, to book your place please contact operationheartbeat@wfa.org.nz