A DORCHESTER St John Ambulance first aid trainer has been reunited with a 10-year-old girl who he taught the skills needed to save her stepdad’s life.
Bethany Simpson, from Cornwall, stepped in to deliver the live saving first aid just three weeks after being taught by Grant Wilson, 48 who is a St John Ambulance trainer for Dorset, Devon and Cornwall.
Grant travelled to Cornwall to see Bethany following her lifesaving work.
He said: “I’m delighted to have been given the opportunity to teach Bethany the skills that enabled her to be the difference between a life lost and a life saved.
“It must have taken enormous confidence and courage to step in, but she is an incredibly brave and resourceful girl – a real credit to her family and her school.”
Bethany’s mum Jane and stepdad Robert were watching television in bed when his breathing became shallow, erratic and laboured.
Jane realised he was unresponsive and called 999.
When he stopped breathing completely the operator told her to give him CPR.
Jane said: “I panicked and said ‘I can’t do it.’
“Fortunately Bethany heard me scream, came into the bedroom and said ‘It’s ok mum, I know what to do.’ She was so confident and took charge.”
Bethany then performed the chest compressions that kept Robert alive.
She said: “I’m just glad my dad is still here.”
Robert and Jane are now backing the St John Ambulance campaign to make first aid lessons compulsory in schools.
Jane said: “This just shows why it’s important to teach everyone first aid – especially in schools.
“Every child should be taught how to save a life. Without my daughter and the training St John Ambulance gave her, Robert would be dead and I would be heartbroken.”
Robert wanted to thank the service for the training Bethany received.
He said: “I would just like to sincerely thank St John Ambulance for teaching the children first aid. If it wasn’t for them and Bethany, I wouldn’t be here.”
On June 12 The Big First Aid Lesson – a free one hour online first aid session will be streamed live and direct in to classrooms across the country.
The programme combines first aid training and 999 scenarios and will be hosted by Claudia Winkleman.
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