UNSURE how you would cope when you face a first aid emergency?

Well you're not alone. There are still many people that don’t have any first aid knowledge at all. Research carried out by St John Ambulance, the nation's leading first aid charity, found that more than two-fifths (41%) of people admit it would take something as severe as the death of a loved one to make them learn first aid.

That's why we're teaming up with the Hereford Times to teach readers some vital life saving skills in a new weekly column.

Every week, I will be sharing my first aid tips to help you be the difference to someone in need. Together, we can make Herefordshire a safer place to live and work.

First aid uses simple techniques that are easy to learn to help anyone be the difference between a life lost and a life saved. There’s lots of ways you can learn – you can attend a first aid at work course, a community course or pop along to one of our free local demonstrations, held as part of our annual Save a Life September campaign.

Teaching a generation of first aiders

You are never too young to learn first aid. Our Badgers are the youngest volunteers at St John Ambulance, aged between seven and ten-years-old. They learn important life saving first aid skills, as well as taking part in events such as camping and outdoor activities.

Our Cadet groups are open to young people aged between 10 and 17-years-old. Cadets learn first aid alongside other subjects such as leadership, radio communications and personal development. Older Cadets can put their skills into practice by providing first aid at events or teaching first aid to other young people.

St John Ambulance has dedicated trainers who deliver first aid training in primary and secondary schools. We also offer free resources for schools, including The Big First Aid Lesson, an interactive hour-long programme streamed directly to classrooms via the internet. This year’s event is on 17 June and is being hosted by TV medic Dr Ranj.

Help when you need it

Our volunteers provide first aid services at hundreds of events across the county every year. These include the Hereford Half Marathon & Linton Festival, Shobdon Food & Flying Festival, Kington Show and the West Midlands Autograss, as well as smaller community events like school fetes.

Volunteers are highly trained and able to deal with everything from minor cuts and bruises, to life or death emergencies. At bigger events they are supported by volunteer doctors, nurses and paramedics.

We also have modern, fully equipped ambulances and can support the NHS during peak times to transport patients and respond to 999 calls.

*James Atkin has been a volunteer with St John Ambulance for over 25 years and is the Hereford unit manager. When he’s not volunteering, James is a trained nurse specialising in intensive care, working in hospitals all over the UK.

Factfile

• St John Ambulance traces its roots back to 11th Century Jerusalem, where the first Knights of St John set up a hospital for sick pilgrims

• The modern day St John Ambulance Brigade was formed in 1887

• St John Ambulance volunteers were on duty at the London Olympics in 1908

• During the First and Second World Wars, St John Ambulance provided volunteer care for war casualties in hospitals in England and overseas

• In the 1920s the St John Ambulance Cadets were formed

• In 1922, the Hereford St John Ambulance unit was established

• St John Ambulance volunteers provided first aid treatment for 9,000 members of the public at the Coronation of King George VI in 1937

• In the 1980s, new first aid regulations were introduced for the workplace. St John Ambulance has offered first aid at work training ever since

• In 1987, the Badgers programme for young children was introduced

• Today, St John Ambulance teaches more than 800,000 people learn how to save a life every year

• We have 9 units in Herefordshire and almost 180 volunteers, including more than 110 Badgers and Cadets