Students convince Rotary club about First Aid donation
Two Woy Woy South Public School students have successfully convinced the Rotary Club of Umina Beach to donate to a First Aid course for Year 6 students.
School captain Jonty Beaton and vice-captain Mara Hatfield-Favand gave an "enjoyable and informative presentation", according to club president Mr Bruce Croft.
Jonty and Mara acted out a bush walk where a snake bit Jonty on the leg.
Jonty fell over in pain and Mara demonstrated how to apply a pressure bandage on the bite until help arrives.
Mara went on to describe an incident which actually occurred when she and her father Jerome were walking along the beach at Umina, Mr Croft said.
"The beach was littered with debris washed down the Hawkesbury River from the recent floods and the waves were a bit rough.
"A tourist was walking on the shoreline in the shallow waves when a large wave carried an unseen piece of corrugated iron into the man's leg.
"His leg was severely gashed and an artery was severed.
"Mara and Jerome used one of their jumpers as a tourniquet to staunch the blood flow until paramedics arrived some 20 minutes later.
"The paramedics said that the victim would have bled out if first aid had not been applied," Mr Croft said.
"In both these cases, the message from Jonty and Mara was clear that you need to know about First Aid at the most unexpected time.
Jonty and Mara told the club that the Red Cross offerred a First Aid Course for Year 6 students called Year 6 Heroes.
Mr Croft said: "Each course runs for six hours over a number of weeks for a total of 75 students, 25 in each session.
"Unfortunately the quoted price to run the course is $3200 for a year or discounted to $2760 per year for five years.
"The school P and C has agreed to top up a shortfall in funding but has suggested that the students arrange a fund-raising program first.
"Our members offered several suggestions on fund raising opportunities including approaching other Rotary Clubs, Registered Clubs, and the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.
"It was agreed that Umina Beach Rotary Club is committed to a donation, subject to a conversation with the project sponsoring teacher."
SOURCE:
Newsletter, 22 Jun 2022
Bruce Croft, Rotary Umina Beach