Alice worked as a first aid trainer for more than ten years before transitioning into product management and joining the senior leadership team at Red Cross Training.
Niranjan’s first aid story
“I strongly encourage every parent, carer, and teacher to learn these life saving skills.’’
Find out how Niranjan helped his daughter who was choking.
Niranjan, having previously completed a British Red Cross First Aid at Work course in Manchester, was having dinner with his 5-year-old daughter, who began showing clear signs that she was choking.
Niranjan added, “After swallowing a small chicken bone, my daughter was unable to speak, cough, or breathe. Because of the First Aid at Work course that I had attended previously, I recognised that she was choking and immediately knew how to respond.”Applying the skills gained through his First Aid at Work course, Niranjan first encouraged his daughter to try to cough, but it quickly became clear that more help was needed, so he administered a series of back blows between her shoulder blades.
Niranjan explained, “When the obstruction persisted, I moved on to abdominal thrusts. After the second or third thrust, the bone dislodged, and she was able to breathe normally again.”
Niranjan reflected, “It was a terrifying moment, but my first aid training gave me the confidence to act quickly, effectively, and calmly. I am certain that without those skills, the outcome could have been very different.”
Alice Squires, training product manager at Red Cross Training added, “Stories like Niranjan’s are such a powerful reminder that first aid is not just something people learn for work. These skills can make a real difference to the people we love most, often when we least expect it.”
Niranjan concluded, “I strongly encourage every parent, carer, and teacher to learn these life saving skills. You never know when you might need them, but when you do, they can make all the difference.”
How to help a child (over one year) who is choking
1. Give up to five back blows:
Hit them firmly on their back between the shoulder blades, checking the mouth between back blows. If back blows do not dislodge the object, move on to step 2.
2. Give up to five abdominal thrusts:
Hold the child around the waist and pull inwards and upwards above their belly button.
3. Call 999 (or get someone else to do it) if the blockage does not dislodge.
4. Continue with cycles of five back blows and five abdominal thrusts and follow the guidance of the 999-ambulance operator.
First aid skills can make all the difference in an emergency. Whether you're the designated first aider at work or simply want the confidence to step in when it matters most, a First Aid at Work course from British Red Cross Training will give you the practical skills and confidence to help in a first aid emergency.