First Aid training you never forget when it comes to being tested.

Went into Sutton in Ashfield yesterday afternoon and decided to pop and see a mate of mine who lives in some flats just outside of Sutton in Ashfield, when I got there I pulled round the back to park the car, when I was parking up an elderly chap was walking towards the entrance door, I looked at him and thought he doesn't look to good, when I got to the door I asked him if he was OK? He didn't say a deal then all of a sudden he collapsed, it's been years since I did any sort of first aid but it all kicked in, check his airways, check for a pulse, start chest compressions, move into recovery position, assure the person everything is going to be OK then phone an ambulance.

The ambulance came in what must have been record time, they checked everything and I mean everything, I told them what first aid I'd administered they put him into the back of the ambulance, they wired him up to the heart machine they were doing all sorts of tests. I asked them what the problem was? They said he's had a big one by the looks of this and you meaning me have saved him by giving him chest compressions and putting him into the recovery position, they were trying to ask him what sort of tablets he was taking? He couldn't answer the questions for obvious reasons, I found out which flat he lived in, we checked his pockets and found some keys, I went into his flat to see if I could find some tablets, I found the slip you get from the doctors with all your tablets on, I gave that to the Paramedics.

They whisked him off on blue lights, about 3 hours later I phoned up to find out how he was, I got through to the ward but they were reluctant to tell me how he was, when I explained to them the reason of my call they told me straight away, they said he's comfortable and responding well to the drugs they have given him.

That's my good deed done for the weekend.

[Tinky]

Oh well done Nidge, what a hero. It must be a great feeling to know you saved someones life.

[soup dragon]

nice one mate, i am a first aider at work, but i really hope i don't need to use the stuff i have learned.

[Raistlin]

Don't know what to say mate.

I guess 'Hero' is about as close a word as I can think of. Sounds like that poor old boy would have been gone for sure if you hadn't been around, I'd like to hope that I could have done as well.

Well done, doesn't cut it really, but that's as good a combination of words as I can come up with at the moment.

Well done

[Halcyon]

That is great Nidge. I really do applaud people like you.

For those that want a quick lesson in first aid skills or want to brush up on skills they may have forgot, check out these podcasts, free first aid lessons. Opens in I-Tunes.
You could make all the difference one day....

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/M...st?id=81016402

[Delta Whiskey]

Well done Nidge, a cool presence of mind. It goes to show that we all should know basic first aid, I've always thought it should be compulsorily taught in school.

Well done Nidge. Most probably saved the guy's life.

[Maggy J]

Originally Posted by Delta Whiskey

Well done Nidge, a cool presence of mind. It goes to show that we all should know basic first aid, I've always thought it should be compulsorily taught in school.

Agreed!That and life saving skills in swimming.

[Maggy J]

[joglynne]

Well done Nidge.

I have never had to use my first aid training but I hope that, if I ever have to, I can respond as well as you have.

[Taf]

Well done mate... I hope you don't sued at some point... the main reason many first aiders are afraid to use their skills these days.

I reckon it should be a subject taught to all from primary school onwards.

[Jon T]

Well done Nidge

Originally Posted by Taf

Well done mate... I hope you don't sued at some point... the main reason many first aiders are afraid to use their skills these days.

I reckon it should be a subject taught to all from primary school onwards.

I 100% agree on teaching everyone first aid.

On the subject of being sued, If you have a valid first aid certificate, and if you can prove that you are acting in accordance with your training then they can't touch you. If you haven't got a current first aid certificate then I wouldn't go near anyone wanting first aid(not without at least two independant witnesses anyway).

Cheers folks, I've been in touch with the hospital again this afternoon and he's doing well, he asked the nurses for my name but they couldn't give it to him because they didn't know it, they asked me if it was OK to give him my name? Of course I said yes, they have got him stable and are giving him anti clotting drugs to keep his blood thin so his heart can pump it round easier, the nurses were saying that all through the night he was asking who I was and telling the nurses that a young lad saved his life and that his faith had been restored in the younger population of the country. It sounds like he's well on the way to recovery, I might pop down and see him tomorrow night to make sure he is OK.

Good for you, Nidge, Mrs Gaz has the first aid training in our family, unfortunately the only time she ever had to use her training was for a neighbour who had a massive coronary & she wasn't able to revive him.

The main thing I realised was how difficult it is to keep calm & let the training take over - so well done to you for that & I'm pleased it made a difference

[Ramrod]

Nice one Nidge