Weymouth family inspire others to learn first aid (From Dorset Echo)

Weymouth family inspire others to learn first aid

3:00pm Friday 10th February 2012 in Local News By Samantha Harman

A FAMILY’S first aid story caused such a stir when it was reported in the Echo that St John Ambulance has been inundated with people wishing to learn lifesaving skills.

The arrival of her little girl Summer prompted Victoria Bennion, of Preston Road, Weymouth, to brush up on her first aid.

Her parents, Barry and Melodie Baines, and sister Natalie, who had become new grandparents and an aunt respectively, decided to join her on a St John Ambulance course.

The charity has now added an additional date to its programme of Essential First Aid courses in Weymouth following the huge response to the story.

Grant Wilson, schools, community and volunteer training manager for St John Ambulance Dorset said: “Thanks to support from the Dorset Echo, we have had an overwhelming number of enquiries about these courses, particularly from new parents, grandparents and those who want to brush up on their lifesaving skills.

“It is the charity’s aim to teach life saving first aid skills to as many people as possible in the community.

“Learning first aid is one of the single most important things you can do in your life.

“You never know when you may need it – at work, at home, in school, playing sport. You just don’t know.

“But if you know basic first aid, you can be the difference between a life lost and a life saved.

“What could be more important than saving someone’s life?

“These courses are designed to make learning first aid easy and fun and there is something to suit everyone.”

Mrs Bennion, a marketing officer, said she was glad her story has had a positive result.

She said: “It’s brilliant news. I am really pleased with the reaction. It’s nice to know that so many people want to learn these life-saving skills.

“Summer is moving around a lot more and soon she’ll be walking – so I’ll be on standby with my training on bumps and scrapes. Everywhere mum and dad went people were saying: ‘Oh, we saw you in the Echo.’ “I wouldn’t have believed our story would have had such a great reaction, but I’m so glad it has.

“If just one life can be saved by the people taking up these new skills then it will all be worth it.”

The Essential First Aid course lasts three hours and caters for 10-year-olds and over.

It covers the most common first aid situations involving adults, children and infants.

These include choking, severe bleeding, Cardio Pulmonary Resus-citation (CPR) and dealing with an unconscious casualty.

Also covered are fractures, sprains and strains, head injuries and other common incidents.

The course costs £30 per person and will take place on February 27 at St John Ambulance Weymouth headquarters in Westwey Road.

Courses will also be held at St John Ambulance training centres in Bridport Road, Dorchester on March 3 and on Portland on April 17 between 9.30am to 12.30pm.

For more information about first aid courses or to book a place visit sja.org.uk/dorset or call 01305 751157.