The rhythmic beat of pumping chests echoed round the Jack Lofthouse Annex of
the Clarke Foley Centre as would-be Ilkley U3A first aiders practised life-saving skills
on two recumbent dummies.

More than 40 members at two sessions paid rapt attention to Red Cross leader, John Pickett, as he demonstrated CPR and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, with many volunteering to have a go themselves. As well as time critical events such as heart attacks and strokes, John covered the main first aid issues of burns, bleeding, ingestion of harmful materials, head injury and
defibrillation, earning an enthusiastic round of applause at the end of each session.

The course has proved so popular that organiser Steve Walker has set up two more for Tuesday 29 October.