ST JOHN Ambulance is teaching life-saving skills all across Worcestershire

The annual Save a Life September (SALS) is returning to teach people the skills needed to be the difference between a life lost and a life saved.

On Thursday September 1, Evesham Library will host a demonstration between 2pm and 3pm, whilst Nunnery Wood Sports Centre in Worcester will host one between 11.30am and 12.30pm.

St John Ambulance’s Birmingham-based regional community training coordinator, Emma Elgerton said: "We wanted something big and different to kick off our SALS campaign.

"Last year we did a 24-hour CPR marathon at Birmingham Airport and we were wondering how to follow that.

"I was sat at my desk, trying to think of something, and all around were documents and paper with the Maltese Cross logo on them – and then it came to me!

"My team has worked so hard to make my madness come to life."

The region’s expert trainers and volunteers are taking on a new challenge for the sixth year of SALS, with events delivered by four teams moving from location to location throughout the day.

Clive James, national training officer at St John Ambulance said: "The opportunity to learn first aid is something that everyone should take up.

"You never know when you might need to use it either at home, in the street, at work or at school, so why not take some time to visit one of our free SALS first aid demonstrations in the West Midlands?

"You'll also be able to take away a free pocket first aid guide to these techniques and find out more about the longer courses we run where you can pick up a number of other life saving skills.

"Once again, this year our aim is to reach as many people as possible with our SALS demonstrations so that more people are equipped with the skills to save a life.

"Please help us make sure that there are more people in the community as a result who understand how to be the difference between a life lost and a life saved."

Research carried out by St John Ambulance showed that 97% of people believe that learning first aid is important and yet just one in ten people have the skills to save a life.

SALS demonstrations cover five easy-to-follow techniques that could potentially save a life.

Full details of all SALS events are available online at www.sja.org.uk/savealife

The locations of the demonstration link up on a map to form the shape of the charity’s logo the Maltese Cross.