AN estimated 12 attended a first aid course at the Myrtleford Hospital last Thursday, organised by the Myrtleford Men’s Shed.

Club treasurer Clive Walker said student participation was high.

“Even though I think most of us knew a little bit about first aid, it was interesting to have an up-to-date version of what you should or shouldn't do and how to do it,” he said.

The class was funded by an Australian Communities Foundation grant obtained by the men’s shed in an aim to increase first aid knowledge for seniors.

The event also had attendance for the cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) component of the course.

First aid trainer Carolynne Collier said it is vital to learn first aid, especially CPR, as many incidents of cardiac arrest occur without warning.

“There are around 30,000 sudden cardiac arrest deaths every year in Australia, which is a bit of an alarming statistic.,” she said.

“Of those, about 50 per cent don't have any warning signs.”

When the first aid course was proposed last year an accompanying men’s health event was also suggested, but this did not come to fruition.

However, Mr Walker said the men’s shed will reconsider organising a men’s health event after the success of the first aid course.