You're never too young to learn lifesaving first aid skills. On this page, you’ll find examples of ordinary young people who used their first aid knowledge to provide crucial help in emergency situations.

Have you ever used first aid to help someone? If so, send your stories to firstaid@redcross.org.uk

Last year, 14-year-old Robert was travelling with his mum to a school concert in the Scottish Borders when they saw a car crash down an embankment. While his mum contacted the emergency services, Robert scrambled down to help three injured teenagers crawl from the crashed vehicle.

The young first aider immediately took control of the situation, checking the crash victims’ breathing and pulse rates, as well as dressing cuts and injuries prior to the ambulance’s arrival. The police later said: "His calm and professional approach won the unreserved praise of the doctor and ambulance crews that attended."

The young hero later said: "The only time I have used my training before was for a bleeding nose at a rugby match and this was certainly different.

"But when something like this happens you are trained to just get on with what needs to be done."

When a Scottish motorcyclist came spinning off his bike, he was lucky in one respect – a young Red Cross first aider heard the crash.

Andrew (14) was woken by a loud bang outside his house in Galashiels and saw the motorcyclist through his window. 

Rushing outside to help, Andrew asked a member of the public to direct traffic, then calmly checked the rider from head to toe. The teenager, who is learning first aid at his local Red Cross Branch, continually spoke to the injured man to keep him calm, while supporting his head and neck.

When paramedics arrived, he was able to give precise details of the casualty’s suspected injuries as well as pulse readings. The fortunate rider later made a good recovery.
 
Andrew said: “The motorcyclist was complaining of a very sore hip and right knee. I knew that I had to keep him still and calm to prevent his injuries becoming any worse. I really went into autopilot – I didn’t panic or feel scared. I’m very pleased that I was able to help.”
 
His first aid trainer, Sheila Shaw, said: “We hope this story will inspire more people of all ages to learn first aid, as this latest incident shows that there’s no way of knowing when it might be needed.”

When office worker Anita Kelly witnessed a terrible road traffic incident, her Red Cross first aid training kicked in immediately – to life-saving effect. Anita (20), an administrator at health company BUPA, saw the accident happen one evening as she left her office in Salford.
 
She said: "There was a terrific bang as the man was hit by a car and thrown up on to the windscreen. There was blood everywhere from a severe gash to his head and his condition was deteriorating quickly. I was carrying my gym kit, so I got out my tracksuit bottoms and tied them around his head to compress the wound and reduce his blood loss."

Anita ensured the man’s airway was clear and that someone had called an ambulance. She then stayed with him for the next 15 minutes, checking his breathing and reassuring him, until the ambulance arrived.

BUPA manager Catherine Lockwood said: "Anita may well have saved this man's life. She takes her responsibilities as a first aider very seriously and this was a case of the right person being in the right place at the right time."

Anita has since received a BUPA One Life Ambassador award for her brave and speedy action.