College students learn how to be a life-saver

New College Lanarkshire students in Motherwell are now better prepared to save lives.

They received CPR training as part of an annual healthy living initiative.

The college’s health and wellbeing events took place last week, with hundreds of students browsing stalls set up by local organisations and charities dedicated to improving physical and mental health.

Volunteers from St Andrew’s First Aid performed demonstrations on the different resuscitation techniques used for adults, children and infants.

First Aider John Ritchie said: “We’re giving everyone an insight into resuscitation, which I believe is the most important part of first aid.

“We’re also teaching everyone how to use a defibrillator and students have been very enthusiastic in trying it out.”

Students were able to try out Xercise4less’s rowing machines, take advantage of free gym passes from NL Leisure, sight tests from Leggate Optometrists, in addition to listening to a live DJ set from Stevie Lennon and taking advantage of free fruit and water.

Beauty students, meanwhile, offered tasters of a range of therapies offered at the college’s in-house salons, including seated massages, microdermabrasion, facials and nail treatments.

The series of “re- freshers” activities also helped welcome new students starting courses this month at the college.

Learner engagement officer Ross Brand said: “January is often regarded as a ‘blue’ month to many people, especially those with existing mental health issues and often factors such as debt and illness can be triggers for this.

“We invite organisations to attend our events that offer advice and information that could signpost students to support networks and counselling.

“This fits directly into our extracurricular programme, Be Engaged, which encourages students to take a more active role in their learning whilst on campus by accessing a variety of resources and opportunities to further develop their skillsets.”