LIFE-saving training is being offered to members of the public in two upcoming sessions at Kendal Fire Station.

Cumbria County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) will be delivering free HeartStart courses on Friday April 4 (10am-12noon) and Friday April 11 (2pm-4pm).

HeartStart teaches basic life support and covers areas inclding performing CPR, dealing with a suspected heart attack victim, general care of a casualty and the use of defibrillators.

CFRS has been teaching basic life support to members of the public, businesses, voluntary and community organisations, schools, youth groups, women’s institutes and young farmers for more than a decade and it is estimated that around 5,000 people have been trained over the past five years.

The training is delivered, in partnership with the British Heart Foundation and the North West Ambulance Service Community First Responders, by CFRS firefighters, staff and volunteers across the length and breadth of Cumbria.

Coun Barry Doughty, Cumbria County Council’s cabinet member for the Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Each year around 270,000 people in Britain have heart attacks and with quick treatment being crucial to the chances of survival, knowing what to do if a family member, friend or colleague suffers a coronary can literally mean the difference between life and death.

“I’d encourage anybody interested in learning the skills that could save a life to spare a couple of hours of their time and book on to a HeartStart course.” To book a place on one of the Kendal courses contact CFRS volunteer coordinator Nicola Jackson on 07825 011005 or by emailing volunteers@cumbriafire.gov.uk