Parents pass on life saving skills (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Parents pass on life saving skills

PARENTS in Cirencester will be able to learn new skills which could save their children's lives thanks to a special booklet.

Twenty parents who attend Watermoor Family Centre have taken part in a basic first aid course aimed at treating babies and children.

The course, run by Red Cross trainer Nye Lewis, took six weeks to complete and the parents now have a first aid certificate.

They decided to pass on their new skills to others by putting together a booklet, with the help of staff at Cirencester College, which includes a range of first aid and information.

Mum Davina Caine who helped write it said: "We were able to do the course for free and wanted to give something back.

"The book is aimed at parents and carers.

"We all discussed ideas and the main points to cover and each took a section.

"It includes things like information about meningitis and basic first aid skills."

Mr Lewis, who is now teaching a second group of parents first aid, said: "We do a two hour session each week.

"It's basic first aid with a slant towards babies and children.

"It includes a section on how to prevent accidents and resuscitation."

Parent Mari Simms put her new skills to the test when she saw a woman collapse into the road in Cirencester's Market Place.

"I made sure nobody moved her and phoned for an ambulance," she said.

"She was bleeding quite badly and I tried to keep her calm until the ambulance came.

"The course gave me the confidence to do it."

Centre co-ordinator Suzi Scott said: "I'm really pleased so many people have taken the opportunity to learn first aid.

"It is always better to do something rather than nothing.

"The book will be handed out to all the parents."

The first aid certificate is a necessity for people training to be child minders and is also recognised by some employers.

The Family Centre also runs a daily nursery and creche as well as parent and first aid sessions.

Next term they are running a food hygiene course.