A Cardiff woman has thanked St John Cymru Wales first aid trainers after she helped to save her Dad’s life, just hours after learning what to do on a first aid course.

Helen Constantine, 45, from Whitchurch, called in to see her 78-year-old dad, Anthony, on her way home from the three-day course in Cardiff after he phoned to say he was feeling unwell.

As she walked through the door Helen saw her dad was pale, clammy and complaining of chest pain – all signs of a possible heart attack. She quickly called 999 before giving him the life-saving treatment she had learnt.

Helen was sent on the course by her employers but never anticipated it would help save a family members’ life. She said: “The course trainer Andrew was enthusiastic and informative but I didn’t think the skills I’d learnt would be put to the test so quickly.

“I popped in to see my Dad after finishing the course, because he’d called me earlier that day to say he was unwell. He was complaining of pain in his chest and looked pale and clammy. I remembered everything I had been taught and gave Dad an aspirin, without any liquids - as the trainer had advised if you suspect someone is having a heart attack.

“I was able to stay calm and call the ambulance without panicking. If I had not attended the first aid course, I’m sure I would have been upset and unable to make any sense at that point.”

Helen’s Dad has now made a full recovery and is back at home. But their experience shows that knowing what to do in those vital first minutes of an emergency situation could dramatically increase your chance of survival.

Helen added: “I would like to say a massive thank you to St John and the trainer Andrew in particular. Without them, things might have been very different.”

Andrew Carnell, first aid trainer at St John Wales, said: “My colleagues and I teach life-saving skills to around 15,000 people every year. We know that first aid saves lives but it is still so incredibly rewarding when we hear how these skills have been put into immediate practice - making the difference between life and death.

“Helen’s experience shows how vitally important it is to have a basic knowledge of first aid and I’m pleased to hear that her Dad is recovering well.”

For your free first aid guide and more information on the courses St John Wales offers, call 029 2044 9600 or visit the website at www.stjohnwales.org.uk.