Toddlers were among the visitors learning how to perform CPR, respond to choking and use a defibrillator during a community coffee morning at a Nottinghamshire primary school.
There was more than coffee and cake on offer at the latest Ramsden School Hub coffee morning, as families took part in a practical first aid session at Ramsden Primary School in Carlton-in-Lindrick, near Worksop.
Hazel Thomson, from Rotherham St John Ambulance, demonstrated what people should do when an adult, child or baby is choking.
A specially designed choking vest was used to demonstrate the correct technique, with Ramsden Primary School headteacher Christopher Wilson volunteering to play the casualty.
Hazel said: βHow many people would like to give a back blow to their Headteacher? Well, I achieved it today! Seriously though, it was a wonderful opportunity to teach about a very serious subject β choking.β
Visitors were also given the opportunity to practise cardiopulmonary resuscitation, commonly known as CPR, using adult, female, child and baby manikins.
The session included training with an automated external defibrillator, or AED, showing participants how the equipment provides clear voice instructions to guide someone through each stage of its use.
Some of the most enthusiastic participants were toddlers Jacob, Walter, Kai and Theo.
The youngsters practised CPR, tried the child-sized choking vest and followed the defibrillatorβs instructions, correctly positioning its training pads and pressing the button when prompted.
Their involvement demonstrated that even very young children can begin learning simple emergency skills and become familiar with equipment that could one day help save a life.
The practical session formed part of the school hubβs regular Tuesday morning coffee gatherings, which bring families and members of the local community together during term time.
The sessions are held from 8.45am until 10.30am and include home baking, refreshments and an opportunity for visitors to meet and talk with other members of the community.
The first aid morning combined the hubβs usual welcoming atmosphere with potentially lifesaving lessons, giving adults and children greater confidence in how to respond during an emergency.
