©Info
At an inclusive first aid course in Dorset, the participants demonstrated both the success and importance of these courses.
Before the course begins, Denise sits eagerly talking to her friend John. He’s never taken a first aid course before so she reassures him: “I took a first aid course ages ago. I liked it. I practiced on my parents.”
In fact, throughout the day she acts as a cheerleader, smiling widely as she yells out praise and encouragement. “Well done, Paul! Now check his breathing.”
Peter, the first aid trainer, tailors the course around participants’ questions and Denise is full of questions. “What’s a heart attack?” she asks and then, once Peter has explained: “I have heart problems. I don’t eat chips anymore because they’re bad for you but sandwiches are alright.”
Near the end of the session, Peter asks the group if they have any other questions. Denise focuses her full attention on him. “What about fits? I’ve got a friend who has fits.” Pete demonstrates how to help someone who is having a seizure, and Denise soon starts shouting out first aid advice: “Don’t put anything in his mouth! Put a blanket under his head.”
By the end of the two-hour course, she’s itching to practice some more, saying to the others, “Let’s get Richard [a centre organiser] to lie on the ground so we can practice turning him over!”