Young first aider of the Year Awards 2008 - winners

Jordan Stratton - aged 10

Jordan's mum passed out in the bathroom, hitting her head and knocking herself unconscious. Jordan remembered what he had been taught at school during first aid training in year five. He put his mother in the recovery position and reassured his younger brother who was upset by the incident. Jordan remained calm throughout the incident and told his brother to telephone their father for help. When Jordan's mother came round she became upset but Jordan told her to remain calm and to stay still, explaining that help was on it's way.

Molly Hollyoak - aged 7

Molly's mum fell down the stairs one morning and was knocked unconscious. Molly, who had no formal first aid training, telephoned 999 and explained to the operator what had happened. Molly then called her father who was at work, and asked the next door neighbour to inform her school that she would not be in that day. Molly stayed on the phone to the paramedics until they arrived, and comforted her mum when she regained consciousness, stroking her cheek and instructing her not to move. When the ambulance services arrived they were impressed with how Molly had dealt with the situation and praised her for remaining calm and not panicking.

Reece Bethel
St John Ambulance Badger - aged 7

Reece was given first aid training at his Badger Sett and put his skills into good use when his mother lost consciousness and fell down the stairs. Reece checked for breathing and unsuccessfully tried to wake his mum. Reece did not put her in the recovery position as he knew that she may have hurt her back in the fall. Reece then telephoned his grandfather and explained what had happened. Throughout the incident Reece stayed calm and carefully followed the steps he had been taught in his Badger Sett.

Jamie Smith
St John Ambulance Cadet - aged 17

Jamie looked after a casualty who had turned his car over in an accident on a busy main road. The car engine was pouring smoke and the casualty was been drinking and was behaving aggressively towards him. Jamie persisted with treating the casualty who had sustained a deep cut to his face and was suffering from shock. Members of the public at the scene recognised Jamie's professional and confident manner and stood aside, allowing him to take control of the situation and care for the casualty. By the time paramedics had arrived Jamie had stopped the blood flow from the casualty's face.

Caroline Murphy
St John Ambulance Cadet - aged 15

Caroline was being driven home from school by her mum when they drove past a recent road traffic accident involving two cars. Caroline got out of the car and assessed the situation. She identified the priority casualty, an elderly woman in her seventies, who was hyperventilating with shock and complaining of chest pains. After investigating the situation further, she discovered that the lady a long term medicated cardiac condition, and had also sustained a probable fracture to her arm. The casualty's vital signs and capillary refill were slow. Caroline used a blanket to immobilise the injured arm, reassuring the casualty and monitoring her vital signs until the emergency services arrived at the scene. Caroline briefed the paramedics about the casualty, who in turn complimented her on her actions and first aid skills.

Kristine Coultas
St John Ambulance Cadet - aged 15

Kristine was walking across a field with two friends when she came across a young girl who had fallen off her bicycle. Kristine could see that the casualty was badly hurt, and was drifting in and out of consciousness. Kristine reassured the friends of the casualty, who were panicking and upset. She then asked them for the casualty's name and details of what happened, before sending them to get help. Kristine suspected that the girl had sustained a head injury,and she tried to get a response from the injured girl. During a brief period of consciousness the casualty was crying and complaining of pain in her head, so Kristine reassured her and explained that she needed to keep still. When the casualty became unresponsive, Kristine put her in the recovery position and checked that help was on its way. Kristine continued to talk to and reassure the casualty until help arrived, at which point she briefed the ambulance crew in full. The casualty was taken to hospital and was found to have both a fractured skull and arm and was treated in Intensive Care. Kristine has received thanks for both her first aid skills and the maturity during the incident.

Oliver Yabsley - aged 7

Oliver called 999 after his mother suffered an epileptic fit in the kitchen at their home. During the seven minute telephone call Oliver calmly gave the operator all of the necessary information such as his mother's name, age, condition and the address of their house. Oliver then reassured his three siblings until help arrived. Oliver had previously made emergency calls and learnt how to put his mother in the recovery position.

Lance Corporal Claire Sneddon
Army Cadet Force - aged 14

Claire was returning from her holiday in the Canary Islands. As she was getting off the bus at the airport she saw a gentleman collapse. The man's wife put him in the recovery position, but despite this his condition quickly deteriorated. Claire could see that his pupils were becoming constricted and that he was breathing with difficulty and turning blue. The casualty then stopped breathing. Claire turned the man onto his back and checked his airway but still did not detect any signs of breathing, so she began administering compressions and instructed the man's wife to give him rescue breaths. After a couple of cycles the man started breathing for himself again. On regaining consciousness the casualty was disorientated, so Claire reassured him and made sure he was as comfortable as possible. The gentleman was taken to hospital where he spent three days recovering before he was able to fly home to the UK.

Lance Corporal Jamie Ayling
Army Cadet Force - aged 15

Jamie was taking part in the Ten Tors walk with other members of the Cornwall Army Cadet Force. The weather conditions were bad, with high winds and rain. The group came to a river that would normally have been straightforward to cross, but due to the rain, the river was swollen and fast flowing. Jamie crossed the river first, getting extremely wet. A fellow member then attempted to cross but fell in and began to be swept away. Jamie immediately went to her assistance and managed to pull her out of the river. They decided to carry on despite being very cold and wet, but the weather was deteriorating into thick fog and ever stronger winds. Jamie's friend started to become weak and dizzy and was showing signs of hypothermia. They found shelter where she was able to change into dry clothes while others went for help. The girl was safely picked up by rescue services and the rest of the team carried on to the next checkpoint.

Lance Corporal Jade Redding
Army Cadet Force - aged 15

Jade was on the school bus which was just moving off when an 11-year-old student tried to enter the moving vehicle and was dragged underneath it. Jade immediately went to help the boy and realised that although he was still conscious he was seriously injured. Jade instructed the shocked bus driver to turn off the engine. She then directed the panicking students to clear the area and asked another student to call the emergency services. Jade crawled under the bus to the casualty, who was in shock, but was able unable to apply first aid due to the confined space under the vehicle. Jade spoke with the casualty to make sure that he stayed conscious, and held his hand, telling him to squeeze it when in pain. She remained with the boy until paramedics arrived at the scene.

Cadet Sergeant Major Jamie Van Oppen
Army Cadet Force - aged 17

Jamie was at home with his parents when his father was stung by a bee. Half an hour later Jamie's dad started to look pale and his neck began to swell. Jamie asked him to take antihistamine, but he was too shaky to hold the glass of water. Jamie's father then passed out in Jamie's arms, and he told his mother to call 999. Mr Van Oppen was suffering from a severe anaphylactic shock, which Jamie recognised from the rash that was spreading over his body. Jamie put his father in the recovery position but he was unable to breathe easily and could only gasp for air. Jamie rolled his unconscious father onto his back and tilted his head back to allow more oxygen through his airway. When the ambulance arrived, Jamie's father was given oxygen and medication to improve his condition. The Van Oppens then drove to the hospital in their own car rather than the ambulance, during which time Jamie kept his father warm, as he was cold from shock, and continued to monitor his condition. When Mr Van Oppen was discharged from hospital, the doctor explained to Jamie that if it had not been for his first aid skills his father might have died.

Cadet Ryan Lloyd
Army Cadet Force - aged 14

Ryan was in a playground one evening with his friend when he witnessed a man being violently knocked to the ground. The casualty sustained serious head injuries and was bleeding severely. Ryan approached the casualty and assailant and, realising that the casualty was badly hurt, called an ambulance. The victim was unconscious, so Ryan put him in the recovery position until the ambulance arrived. Ryan managed to stay calm and care for the casualty despite receiving a threat from the assailant before her ran away. Ryan stayed with the victim of the attack until the paramedics arrived. The casualty underwent emergency surgery and remained in a neurology unit for three weeks after the incident.

Corporal Rebecca Grayell-Rees
Army Cadet Force - aged 15

Rebecca was with her younger sister and her friend when she witnessed a car swerving off the road and crashing. Rebecca's friend telephoned the emergency services and her sister kept the crowds back. Rebecca took charge of the situation, directing passers-by and checking on the casualty's injuries and responsiveness. The casualty was unconscious and trapped inside the car, but was still breathing. Rebecca held the victim's head to restrict movement and to minimise possible spinal injuries, until the paramedics arrived.

For the Award of Meritorious Service Bar and Certificate

Air Cadet Christopher Tuohy
Air Training Corps - aged 17

Christopher and his cousin were out riding their bikes when they came across two men arguing in the doorway of a house. One man pushed and then hit the other, knocking him o the floor. Christopher instructed his cousin to call the police and an ambulance. After the assailant ran off Christopher attended to the casualty and conducted a primary survey. The casualty was unconscious and had a head injury which was bleeding freely. Christopher removed some broken glass from the area where the casualty was lying, and then he checked his responses. Christopher's aunt lived close by, so he called for a first aid kit. When the first aid kit arrived, Christopher put on his gloves and applied a dressing the the casualty's head. By this time the casualty had regained consciousness and was becoming aggressive toward Christopher. Christopher explained that he he needed to remain still, but the casualty gave further verbal abuse to him and bystanders. When the First Response Team arrived, it consisted solely of one female paramedic and Christopher stayed close by as he was concerned for her safety. Throughout the incident Christopher remained calm and has since been praised for his actions, as the man was well known to the police and ambulance crews for being unpredictable due to alcohol abuse.