Roadside Tragedy: Father Gives First Aid to His Own Son

When learning First Aid it is important to realize that the new skills you learn are most likely to be used on a member of your own family. Reported in the Daily Telegraph this week, it became a tragic reality for the Marshall family.

If you didn’t read the article, here is a brief summary: 53 year old Guy Marshall had stopped at a road side motorcycle crash only to discover the dying casualty was his own teenage son, Thomas.

Mr Marshall, an Optometrist, had no idea that his 18 year old, A-Level student son had been involved in the collision when he stopped to help.

"When I arrived people had stopped but no one was tending to him," he is reported as saying. "I jumped out of my car to see if I could help and then realized it was my son.

"I supposed I instantly switched into lay responder mode but then was still aware it was my boy. Not an hour goes by that I don't think of being on that road with him."

According to the report, Thomas had a pulse and was still moving when Mr Marshall arrived on scene but Thomas was pronounced dead when paramedics arrived at the scene.

Mr Marshall is a trained First Aider able to deal with emergencies and his mother, Wendy is a practice Nurse. They have two older children Alex (22) and Sophie (19). Our condolences go out to the whole family.

This story has me in no doubt just how important our First Aid skills really are.

Perhaps you have been on a First Aid course because your employer asked you to attend. Perhaps you’re not convinced it’s a skill you will ever get to use. Perhaps you thought it was something you had to learn “just in case” it is needed in your workplace. Whatever your thinking, learning first aid is vital for everyone. It is a skill that once learned will stay with you for life. It’s a skill that you will be able to apply anywhere and everywhere.

We often tell our course participants that the skills they learn during the course are skills they are more likely to use with their own family members.

Mr Marshall’s son had a much better chance of survival with his presence than he would ever have had without him – after all you only have to read what Mr Marshall said “no one was tending to him (Thomas)” to realize how important immediate action really is in such a situation.

Would you want to be one of those bystanders, unwilling or unable to do anything? I know I wouldn’t. If it’s time to renew your certification or update your skills, do yourself a favor and book on the course right now while it is still fresh in your mind.

Coroners Report on the Death of Six-Year-Old Pupil who Choked on Sausage

The sad death of Shannon Hennessey was recorded as "Accidental Death" at a Coroners hearing last month. The six-year-old pupil died after choking on a piece of sausage during lunch at Redhill Infants School in Castleford, Yorkshire (UK).

The Coroner, David Hinchliffe is reported to have reached the verdict after declaring that all that could have been done, had been done, to save her life.

Teachers, dinner staff and paramedics all tried to clear her throat and revive her on 8th November 2006, but she was pronounced dead after arriving at hospital.

It's a sad case because as a First Aider we try so hard in such situations, however, sometimes we have to come to terms with the fact that there is only so much we can do to help in an instance like this.

I'm sure the First Aiders concerned are deeply upset by the incident and I think it's vitally important that we recognise their bravery and courage in dealing with the child. For those who have seen a child choking on something, you'll know how terrifying it can be. We must congratulate the dinner lady who, even without formal training, had the courage to take action and help in this situation by carrying out the abdominal thrust.

In a First Aid situation, if a casualty is choking, the following action should be taken:

• Check the mouth is clear.
• Lean the casualty forward (child or baby: place over your knee, with the head lower than the rest of the body).
• Give the casualty 5 back slaps.
• If that does not work, give the casualty 5 abdominal thrusts.
• Repeat if necessary.
• If the casualty becomes unconscious, be prepared to resuscitate.

Please remember, in MOST cases, this simple procedure is VERY effective. Unfortunately, we rarely hear about the successful removal of an obstruction in a First Aid situation, yet it happens so often. If you have dealt with such a First Aid situation yourself, take the time to congratulate yourself on your action ... you are a star!


If you would like to see a demonstration of how to carry out the abdominal thrust,
please visit our website film demonstration

For an amusing demonstration of the abdominal thrust, try watching the movie "Mrs Doubtfire". The trailer can be viewed at New York Times Movies