North Sea Volunteer Lifeguards based in Whitley Bay has been presented with over £1,500 worth of resuscitation training equipment to help develop its community Heartstart scheme.
 

Parents of Rookies show off the new manikins

The Heartstart sessions last for two hours and provide practical 'hands-on' learning for dealing with unconscious casualties, giving cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and the treatment for choking, heart attacks and serious bleeding.

The manikins have already been put to good use to deliver a Heartstart session for the parents of NSVL's 70 Rookie Lifesavers.  NSVL's Heartstart Co-ordinator, John Milburn said, "The parents sit on poolside every week watching their children learn essential lifesaving techniques, so we thought it was about time they had a go themselves.  Over 30 parents took part and can now help their children practice these emergency life support techniques."

If any community groups would like to organise a Heartstart session, you can find out more information on the Heartstart pages or by phoning John Milburn on 07815 819 605.