Given a guiding light to lifesaving

Jacoline Tautari practises on Tara Smith at a first aid course. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Blind Maori are being offered the chance to learn potentially lifesaving CPR and first-aid skills.

Ngati Kapo o Aotearoa, the association which represents blind, vision-impaired and deaf-blind Maori, has joined with St John Ambulance to offer the courses to its 700 members.

On Monday 63-year-old Jacoline Tautari took part in the pilot with five other Maori aged 16-65.

The Pukekohe grandmother wasn't born blind but over the last 30 years her vision has deteriorated to about 10 per cent.

But that hasn't stopped her from becoming a painter, weaver of korowai and tukutuku panels, completing a half-marathon or hiking in the Hunua ranges. She used to have a guide dog but gave the animal back because she felt confident enough without it.

CPR training was simply about independence, she said.

"I've had a few scares where people have had turns and I've not known what to do - it's horrible to feel that you can't help someone," she said.

"Now I feel confident that I can do that."

Instructor Lloyd Mortensen had a few special tips for his students, who learned the beat to pump to by listening to music.

"OK, so you can't see them breathing, place your hand on their chest and feel for movement."

Mr Mortensen said there was no reason why, when presented with an emergency, blind people couldn't help.

"So they can't see - their other senses are still there. They're just as capable as everyone else."

Ngati Kapo (kapo means blind) national executive Chrissie Cowan said the course was about providing opportunities for people to participate fully in their communities. It was also about breaking down stereotypes.

"A lot of these people in an accident situation would be made to feel like 'You stand over there in the corner'. But these people have families, they have friends, they have grandchildren and you never know when CPR will be needed. So they're blind - big deal."