ST John Ambulance is offering first aid courses to Dudley folk next month as it aims to equip more people with the basic skills and confidence to save a life.

Among the courses that still have places available are the Essential First Aid (all ages) course in Brierley Hill on Wednesday, March 30.

The three-and-a-half hour course covers the five main ways to save a life – dealing with an unconscious casualty (recovery position), choking, chest pain, severe bleeding & CPR – including the different techniques for different ages, while the sessions also include an extra AED module to introduce defibrillators and how to use them.

Emma Elgerton, community training co-ordinator for St John Ambulance, said: “We are offering a range of courses to suit all kinds of people, whether they are interested in learning first aid because they have been prompted by our latest Nursery Rhymes Inc campaign, because they want to learn a new skill, or because they want to brush up on their existing skills and knowledge.

“We are offering people a great, low-cost opportunity at convenient times to learn and practice some skills which could one day save the lives of their children, family or friends.

“You never know when you might need first aid, it could be at home, at work or just out and about, and it could be the difference between a life lost and a life saved.”

The course – costing £30 – takes place in Bent Street and uses hands-on demonstrations to train people and is suitable for anyone aged 12 upwards, although under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information, or to book a place, call 0121 237 3879, email west-mids-training@sja.org.uk, or visit www.sja.org.uk