26 September 2024
A Warrington-based optometry practice will host a free educational event for the local community to teach life-saving skills in CPR.
Valli Optometry and Audiology, in the Birchwood Shopping Centre in Warrington, will host the CPR compression-only training event on 19 October from 10am-1pm.
The public event is open to individuals of all ages, with the aim of equipping residents with emergency response techniques.
The training day will include 10-minute compression-only CPR training sessions, as well as defibrillator demonstrations.
James Houlihan, manager of Valli Optometry and Audiology Birchwood, said: “We believe that everyone should have access to basic life-saving skills. By hosting the event, we hope to empower our community and potentially save lives in the future.”
Houlihan explained that the idea for the event followed a series of significant cardiac events in recent years. On Saturday 12 June 2021 during a match between Denmark and Finland footballer Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest.
“Two weeks later, a customer at our shopping centre experienced a similar incident,” Houlihan said. He added: “These events highlighted the critical importance of widespread CPR knowledge.”
The practice has partnered with a local trainer, Ron Gemmell of Outdoor Approach First Aid, to provide the event.
Discussing the reasons behind the event with OT, Houlihan said: “As a community health provider, we’re committed to improving overall wellbeing beyond our core eye and ear care services. This CPR training aligns perfectly with our mission to help our community live well.”
“We regularly engage in local initiatives, events, school outreach, and charity work to support this broader health mission. Empowering residents with life-saving skills like CPR is a natural extension of our commitment to community health,” he added.
Complimentary refreshments will also be available during the event.
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