Lifesaving is a family affair

Lifesaving has become a family affair for the Morrisons, with six-year-old Elizabeth even able to assist in an emergency.

Every member of the family are trained in first aid, including grandmother Mary.

Rebecca’s dad, Dr Ian Morrison is a clinical lead in neurology with NHS Tayside and spends most of his day-today life helping others.

But you don’t have to be a brain surgeon to be a lifesaver, according to Dr Morrison.

He learned the emergency skills at the age of 15 from St Andrew’s First Aid and has been a member for almost three decades.

The youngsters in the Morrison clan developed their own passion for first aid from a young age and were keen for their parents to let them learn.

While six-year-old Elizabeth is physically unable to perform the CPR herself, she is able to assist her parents and talk them through the process.

Dr Morrison said: “Our kids were really passionate about learning first aid and they were the ones who wanted to learn.

“Rebecca is really enthusiastic about it and I think it’s important that young people learn first aid.

“Even if, like Elizabeth, they are not yet able to do it themselves, they are able to tell adults what to do, and that can save a life.

“The fact that you have inconsistencies across Scotland, where some school pupils are not learning is a problem because this is not something that is only useful to a certain area – everybody needs these skills.”

Rebecca’s mother Susan, a registered CPR trainer and former acute coronary care nurse, assists Rebecca when she is volunteering in the community or at school.

She said: “Kids are fearless and are more likely to just go for it and try whereas adults might panic and that’s why we feel it’s so important to educate children on first aid.

“Having been in school with Rebecca when she is teaching her class, we see how willing children are to learn.”

Kids are fearless and are more likely to just go for it whereas adults might panic... it’s so important to educate children on first aid. SUSAN MORRISON