Borough residents invited to learn lifesaving skills (From Stourbridge News)

Borough residents invited to learn lifesaving skills

1:42pm Wednesday 6th March 2013 in News

ST JOHN Ambulance is highlighting the case of a quick-thinking dad who helped at the scene of a road accident to encourage people across the borough to join it and learn lifesaving skills.

Mick Coombs went to the aid of a couple who had been injured in a crash he came across while driving to pick up his son from school in Selly Oak.

The 55-year-old, who is a first aid volunteer with St John Ambulance’s Halesowen unit, stepped in when the young woman compained of pain in her leg.

He said: “I saw a girl who was very distressed and looked as if she was going into shock.

“She said her leg hurt. I examined it and when I touched her ankle, she was in a lot of pain.

“I supported her leg and asked the police to call an ambulance. It was also clear that the girl’s fiancé was suffering chest pains from a seat belt injury.”

When the ambulance arrived, paramedics took over and the woman was taken to hospital where it was found she had broken a bone in her foot.

St John Ambulance is using Mick as an example of how learning first aid can be invaulable and is encouraging people to attend an event at its headquarters in Vicar Street, Dudley, on Thursday March 14, at 7.30pm.

There will be first aid demonstrations and visitors will have a chance to learn lifesaving first aid techniques.

Mick, who regularly provides first aid at public events, said: “We had only been practising how to deal with this type of situation three weeks earlier and I was able to calm and reassure the other family members as well.

“Having first aid skills means I am always ready to help when things like this happen.”

The young lady’s mum was so grateful she wrote a letter thanking Mick.

St John Ambulance has units in Dudley, Brierley Hill, Halesowen, Netherton and Oldbury meet weekly and cover events such as Armed Forces Day at Himley Park and the Dudley Trail.

For details visit www.sja.org.uk or call 08700 10 49 50.