COULD YOU SAVE SOMEONE'S LIFE?

Know what to do in an emergency? Here are the latest first-aid techniques

- SANDRA WALSH

We all hope we'd spring into action in a medical emergency - but with constant changes in advice, many of us fear we might do the wrong thing if we step in to help. Knowing some basics really can save lives.

"In an ideal world, everyone would do a first aid course to deal with an emergency, but not everyone has the time or financial means," says Dr Lynn Thomas from St John's Ambulance (SJA).

"There are good first-aid apps to download, such as the SJA one, which offers up-to-date advice.

"The important thing to know is that you really won't do any harm if you try to help."

1 DO CPR WITH BABY SHARK

Remember doing mouth-to-mouth training at school? Now the advice is to go straight to chest compressions if someone has stopped breathing.

Dr Thomas says, "Call 999 and put your phone on speakerphone.

"The ambulance call handler will tell you how to do compressions, putting your hands together and pressing down on the centre of the chest.

"What has changed is the speed of the compressions. It used to be in time to Nellie The Elephant but that's too slow. Instead use Staying Alive or Baby Shark to time compressions.

“They should be able to tell you where the nearest defibrillator is and if a code is needed to unlock it. Just open up the defibrillator and it will tell you what to do."

2 DON'T VOMIT AFTER SWALLOWING POISON

If someone has drunk cleaning fluid or another poison, contrary to old advice, "Don't make them vomit and don't give them anything to drink as this could push the poison further down the gullet," says Dr Thomas.

"You should only give a little water if the lips are burnt to soothe the pain. Call 999 if you're worried and be prepared to do CPR if the casualty becomes unresponsive."