By BRIDGET COOK
TWO Casey sisters set out with a business plan to help save as many young lives as possible.
And they are doing just that since starting Tiny Hearts Paediatric First Aid about a year ago, which has now expanded interstate and gained celebrity clientele.
The business was started by sisters Nikki Jurcutz from Narre Warren and Rachael Waia from Clyde North.
They identified a need within the community for a first aid training course that specifically deals with common medical emergencies faced by babies and children.
Tiny Hearts Paediatric First Aid was developed to address this need and has proved to be popular with expectant parents, new parents, grandparents and others who care for children and babies.
The course covers topics including choking, allergies, anaphylaxis, infant CPR, burns, temperatures, seizures and falls in order to give parents the confidence to deal with any emergency their child might face before an ambulance arrives.
The business has grown rapidly over the past year, starting in homes across Casey and now spanning to courses across Melbourne and Sydney.
Zoe and Hamish Blake recently took part in a course and Kate Richie, Roxy Jacenko and Megan Gale have signed up in recent weeks.
Ms Jurcutz said as a paramedic she was able to see that this type of course was missing in the market.
“I have witnessed firsthand how important it is for parents to be equipped with these skills, in some cases it can be the difference between life and death,” she said.
Ms Waia, who is the mother of four-year-old Melakai, said she was surprised that throughout her pregnancy and in the early months after giving birth she found there was an abundance of information regarding birth, breastfeeding and settling techniques, but no information on how to deal with medical emergencies that children might face at home.
“Parents who have not undergone first aid training are unprepared, which can lead to devastating consequences,” she said.
“The most rewarding part of my job is knowing that every day I am training others in the skills that could one day save their child’s life.
“I see the uncertainty and worry on their face before the training begins and the confidence and peace of mind they gain once the course has finished.”
The course is held in the privacy of the home where extended family, friends, the babysitter and children can be present.
The course is the only nationally recognised paediatric course available.
Currently, Tiny Hearts is speaking with multiple organisations including hospitals and local councils in an attempt to raise awareness of the benefits of such training and to make the course accessible to all.
For more information visit www.tinyheartsfirstaid.com.
