IF anyone had any doubts about how useful the Heartstart-Ilkley project could be, the words of

paramedic trainer Duncan Beattie soon dispelled them.

He said that the morale of ambulance crews rose noticeably when they got to an emergency collapse and discovered a member of the public already performing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.

Those taking part in the training session last week at the Craiglands Hotel also had other worries on their minds such as the risks to health of giving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation treatment. Paramedics explained that there was no evidence of anyone catching diseases such as AIDS, hepatitis or any other from giving emergency first aid. For the squeamish it was also possible to get special mouth guards which fit over the patient's face to avoid lips to skin contact. They are easily carried, fold down to the size of less than a matchbox and can be incorporated into a key ring.

One volunteer was concerned that techniques learned easily in comfortable surroundings might only be half-remembered and awkwardly applied in a real life-or-death situation.

But the fact that the techniques were done at all, even if rather clumsily, can make all the difference to a victim's recovery chances.

So for volunteers, health professionals, organisers, and possible victims, the Hearstart project is an all-round good news story.

Ilkley traders who have so far taken part or agreed to take part can quite rightly feel proud of themselves.

And for those trying to weigh the value of putting themselves and other employees forward, just remember it could be you.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.