Lawyers Sponsor St John Ambulance Training

Lawyers from Irwin Mitchell helped youngsters to become life savers when they played host to a first aid course at their office in Bristol for St John Ambulance (SJA) youth members where they were taught how to help someone suffering a cardiac arrest.

The leading national law firm also sponsored the Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) defibrillators – instruments used to shock the heart to get it back to its normal rhythm – used in the training session and lawyers joined in the activities at their office at One Castlepark alongside the Cadets.

The group were taught how to recognise the symptoms of cardiac arrest as well as how to use an AED. The training defibrillators are designed to do everything a real defibrillator does but without administering the actual shock.

SJA youth members learn first aid so they can go to events where SJA is providing first aid cover, and to help people in their everyday lives in emergencies.

Jo Darlington, a specialist serious injury solicitor from Irwin Mitchell who attended the training, said: “The St John Ambulance is a vital charity, not only because it provides first aid training and supports the emergency services, but because it inspires young people to be the difference between a life lost and a life saved.

“150,000 people die each year in incidents where first aid may have helped them. We are delighted to support St John Ambulance and help provide these training defibrillators.”

Nicky Connolly, Assistant Commissioner for SJA in Avon, who delivered the training, said: “St John Ambulance offers first aid training to its membership from the age of five. 

“Irwin Mitchell has given our young people a great opportunity by providing this AED training. “First aid is a skill which is held throughout life and our young people will be able to be the difference between a life lost and a life saved.”

St John Ambulance encourages young people to learn how to use AEDs – youngsters can take part in training courses with appropriate adults present from the age of 11. Cadets between the age of 11 and 15 are then permitted by St John Ambulance to use AEDs to help save lives while they are under the supervision of adult members.

Since 2010, the Resuscitation Council UK has said that untrained members of the public should attempt to use AEDs to help people having cardiac arrests rather than stand back and do nothing.