Red Cross brings first aid to Albany

Albany residents will be given the chance to learn to save lives thanks to the expansion of Australian Red Cross first aid courses into rural and regional locations.

Albany, which hosted its first Australian Red Cross first aid course last week, is now one of seven training locations across the State.

Red Cross first aid trainer Geoff Aldersea, who has taught first aid for the past 14 years, said he had seen firsthand how this knowledge could save lives and how important it was for communities.

"Sometimes you can wait a long time for an ambulance and in rural (and regional) areas most of the people you work on are your own and are family," he said.

"Life is important - it's saving a life and there is nothing better than saving a life."

Albany Regional Volunteer service co-ordinator Tracy Sleeman has been practising first aid for the past 20 years and said she believed it was vital to know these basic skills.

"I think it's important people have a basic understanding of how to deliver first aid so they are prepared if they come across someone who needs it," she said.

"To me, it's smart to have those skills … you would hate to come across an accident and not know what to do." The next course is scheduled for November 18 and 19, with a one-day refresher course on November 20.

Visit redcross.edu.au or call 1300 367 428 for information.