A Welsh childminder is urging parents and carers to watch St John Cymru Wales’ new BabySafe films - after her first aid skills helped save her daughter’s life.

Louise Pitman, 39, from Undy in Magor took part in a BabySafe course while training to be a childminder. She knew it was a legally required skill for looking after children, but didn’t realise quite how quickly she would need to use it on her own child. Louise said: “Just two days after finishing the course my daughter Aimee, who was two at the time, and my eight-year-old son Morgan were eating fruit, along with some other children I was looking after. I turned my back for a moment and Morgan starting shouting, ‘Mum, quick, Aimee’s choking!’.

“Aimee was red in the face, unable to breathe and was getting very distressed, but thanks to the training I knew exactly what to do. I grabbed Aimee and placed her over my lap, giving her two sharp blows to her back and the grape popped out. I felt calm and confident and was able to help Aimee without panicking and causing the other children to get upset.

“Since then I’ve had to deal with a few minor bumps and bruises with children in my care, but thanks to my training I feel confident I can deal with whatever medical emergencies come my way. I would advise anyone who has contact with young children, particularly parents, to attend a BabySafe course. Even if you’re not a childminder, basic first aid knowledge could arm you with the skills needed to save a life.”

Every year, more than half a million children under five need to go to hospital after having an accident at home. A further 67,000 are injured or killed simply playing in their gardens.

St John Wales is launching eight films at the Senedd in Cardiff today, with advice on how to deal with common accidents and injuries such as choking, fever, burns and scalds and other medical emergencies.

The films form part of the first aid charity’s BabySafe course, which is run in local communities and at its training centres throughout Wales.

Angela O’Sullivan, first aid trainer at St John Wales, said: “I’ve delivered child and infant first aid courses to groups of parents and carers across Wales. It’s very rewarding and the main feedback I receive is how confident they feel after learning these vital first aid skills.

“Louise’s experience shows that knowing what to do in those vital first minutes of an emergency situation could dramatically increase your chance of survival and I’m so pleased to hear that Aimee was OK, thanks to Louise’s knowledge.

“Our aim is get a first aider on every street in Wales and I’d advise new parents and anyone who cares for a child to contact us and sign up to a course in their area.”

The eight BabySafe films, supported by Legal and General, can be viewed on St John Wales’ website www.stjohnwales.co.uk and YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/stjohncymruwales 

St John Wales’ BabySafe project provides free first aid courses to young parents in the South Wales Valleys. Due to support from Legal and General the project has now provided first aid training to more than 1,000 young mums and dads in Merthyr and Rhondda Cynon Taf.

St John Wales has recently secured Lottery grants to roll this programme out to young parents in Rhyl and Bedwas.

For your free first aid guide and more information on the courses St John Wales offers, call 0845 678 5646 or visit the website at www.stjohnwales.org.uk.