Life saving first aid on show at open day

People will be able to pick up life saving first aid tips when Keynsham's St John Ambulance division hosts an open day next month. 

Volunteers of the Keynsham branch of the charity will be demonstrating basic life saving skills as well as offering people the chance to get hands on experience at the event at its base in Rock Road on February 9 from 10am to 4pm. 

Members will also be on hand to outline more about the work they do in the community including volunteering opportunities for all ages, community first aid courses and providing emergency medical cover at public events. 

Organiser Dan Shearing said the event would showcase the role that St John Ambulance and its volunteers play in the community as well as offering valuable first aid training. 

'Many people aren't aware of how much we do in the Keynsham area. We have an adult group and a thriving youth section for young people aged five to 18. Our aim is to reduce the number of people who die through a lack of first aid every year, whether that's by training people in first aid or being on duty at public events to answer medical emergencies. 

'We would like people who are interested in being the difference or learning how to save a life to come along to the event and find out more.' 

Around 140,000* people a year die in situations where first aid could have helped them but fewer than one in five people** (18%) know the basic skills to be able to act. 

For more information on the open day 07988 957135. For more about the work of St John Ambulance visit http://tinyurl.com/62vjsd7