Yesterday 29 of us attended probably the most important course in our lives – learning how to save a child’s life – that child could be yours!
Course was supported by the Charity ‘Just A Few Minutes’, organized by Alan Gibson consultant neonatologist at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, and staff from Sheffield & Chesterfield Hospitals. We were dealing with the most precious of things, a child’s life, but never has a course seems so compelling and interesting. Considering the seriousness of the subject, at times we were in fits of laughter, especially when faced with some of the ‘real life’ scenarios and the initial ways in which we tried to deal with the situation. Click on any of the photos to enlarge.
Ben & I trying to deal with a child in a burning shed (there’s Ben leaping into action, we just need the Thunderbirds music) – I’d probably be dead or severely burnt from my first two attempts. 
However, that was the whole point of the course, to give us the skills to quickly assess the situation, look at the risks to ourselves, the victim and others around, before we even attempted to help the patient.
We leant how to safely resuscitate babies and children, save a choking child and cope with severe injuries, major loss of blood and spinal injuries whilst doing cardio massage & mouth to mouth. 
Different methods dealing with choking babies and children.
Everyone would benefit from this course, (if you did a course 10 years ago, you will notice the changes) and there will be another opportunity to participate – Grab the moment and do it. It doesn’t matter whether or not you have children, although that is an added incentive. You could be anywhere, driving down the A515, walking in the Peaks or just outside your house – these skills could help you save a child’s life.
Our thanks to Martin & Jean for organising the day, which was sponsored by the Parwich First Responders, to the WI for the wonderful food and to the doctors and nurses for their patience and humour whilst guiding us through the day. A big thank you to our victims.
(Babysitting!)
I’ll leave the rest of you to come up with the appropriate photo captions!
Tel: 07973 537231 or visit website
PARWICH.ORG 
thank you Jane – fantastic blog – was too busy to see most of this so pictures really enjoyed! Jeanx
In an age where it is very easy to get cynical about society, and human nature, it’s great to see people coming together and giving of their time to try to make a big difference.
All power to your collective elbow – thanks for doing this, and for caring.
I think the excellent photo of John and Ed doing synchronised child slapping could play a vital role in a sponsored caption competition.
Seriously folks, well done, to all involved.
It was a fantastic day; it could have been gruelling but the Just a Minute team handled it all so skilfully and with such commitment and good humour that it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience and we all learnt such a lot.
A big thank you to them all from John and me, and to Jean and Martin for organising everything.
(Ben, I never noticed until I saw the pictures – and it’s there twice – that while we were tending the accident victim you actually had a mat to kneel on!!
Marion
I did gallantly offer you the mat, but you declined (twice)!!
Thanks from me too to Jean and Martin for their organisation. It was such a valuable day and as Jane says, full of humour. I was totally bowled over by the idea of all those hard working Doctors and nurses who trained us giving up their free time to do so. I can’t recommend the course enough.
What an amazing example of a community pulling together to support each other! You are LOVELY people. This was a fantastic course and thank you for making us “outsiders” so welcome!!! The yummy cakes and tea were a real treat too! See you at St George’s Day parade!!!